Just a reminder, this will be the last post for a week or so. Surgery will be tomorrow, then a hospital stay for 5 to 7 days after. I will be back as soon as I feel up to it. Love you folks, and I will “see” you soon.
Thank you, AJ, for letting us know the schedule. You are loved by your Wanderers, and more than you can possibly know, by God. You will be greatly missed during your brief absence from us. You won’t be absent in our hearts as we will be lifting you up to the Lord in prayer frequently as a few days pass and beyond through full recovery.
God speed you through this in His perfection and goodness. I am so thankful for you and how God allowed you to keep us all close in good times and times of discomfort. ❤
Kathaleena, amazing, isn’t it? I still sometimes reach up to “take off” my glasses intuitively at night — then realize, oh, not there. I can drive with no issues.
The new lenses as our ‘new body part’ do kind of “glint” in certain lights, I’ve found, which is kind of weird. 🙂 When I told someone at church I’d had the surgeries, she said, “Oh, yes, I can see the light reflecting off your (new) eyes.” I’ve now noticed it in other people.
I’ve “walked” out of work today, no work, but also no pay. I hope it sends enough of a message that it moves management to make at least some kind of acceptable proposal.
If not, the union is threatening a longer, even an open-ended strike which I can’t imagine most of us would come close to beginning to afford to do. 😦
Aj, what a gift you have given us in your presence. Please have Cheryl post a brief update as we pray.
The news thread today was so hopeful.
God is good
Jo
I had to change my password that controls my email account. So that went fine, not so for the verification of it on my phone and ipad. I will have to go to the store to find something that lets me use a regular plug in. Of course I have just that, but it won’t fit???
Jo
DJ – When I first noticed that “glint” in an eye while looking in the mirror in my bathroom, as the sun came in the window right beside me, I thought it looked like I’m a robot or a cyborg. 😀
I will do my best to report in as soon as possible post-surgery. Thank you for all your prayers and care. You all are an important part of our lives.
Cheryl/Mrs. TheRealAJ
Meant to say — regarding that special soap prescribed for pre-surgery (I used it for the knee surgery last year), it smells amazing, but it was so strong it stripped the color right out of the washcloth I was using! -dj
We used Hibiclens the night before and morning of surgery. My brother did not have opportunity to do the at home prep. I do not remembrr that cleanser having a lovely fragrance. It was effective. I still have a bottle on hand.
Miss Bosley was really after something on the kitchen floor. I finally determined it was a piece of pine straw.😀 More fun than an expensive cat toy. Get ’em girl!
The soap I had, in a bottle smelled so good I actually asked the hospital if I could buy it somewhere, but was told it’s “very drying” and I wouldn’t really like it so much as a regular cleanser 🙂
But my poor washcloth also really took a hit from it. -dj
AJ, our prayers are with you. I have been so overwhelmed with all going on in my life that I have not taken time to check in on the blog regularly. I had in the back of my mind that your surgery was this week. I think you are covered in prayer from all directions of this country.
Hi everyone. Sorry this is so late. Elizabeth and I just got home and I admit I forgot when I was at the hospital.
Surgery started at 8:30 and ended around 3:00.
The surgeon let me know that the surgery went well and that he saw no spread of cancer.
He did take some lymph nodes to biopsy, and if they come back clear, Allen is cancer free. I got to see him a bit around 6 and then had my friends drive us home because I am wiped out.
Thank you all for your prayers, your encouragement and for the part you have played in this journey. God uses you all to change both Allen and I and we are so blessed by you.
Please continue to pray as we navigate and adjust to this new normal.
4:30 a.m. Praying for AJ, especially in regards to when his team will get him up and moving as usually happens not too long after major surgery to prevent blood clots. Lord, please let the pain meds be just the right strength. I pray AJ will rally for the challenge of increasing activity as it is encouraged in proper timing based on his surgery and individual needs. Please bolster him with Your strength. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen
Praying here at four thirty Idaho time. May the family grow ever closer to the Lord as He is glorified through all of this. May they all know His joy and peace as they watch Him in action through various folk.
They just got me up and in a chair. They gave me an epidural prior to surgery. Its worked so well I haven’t even had to use the morphine button, which is good. A little pain this morning, but bearable.
Thank you all so much for your prayers and encouragement. It’s been a blessing to Cheryl and i.
Hey AJ, good to hear you’re up and (sorta?) at-em. It’s a good sign (and I don’t think any of us are ‘surprised’) 🙂
I’m so grateful the pain is managed well and we’ll be praying through this recovery process. Mostly, I’m relieved that this big hurdle is now behind you.
And the cancer-free part, too, of course. Thank you, Lord. xoxo -dj
My work assignment has now been broken up into both weekend days 😦 Interview now put off until 1 p.m. tomorrow, which will be challenging but … I’m trying to back-write the story today as much as possible.)
Guess I can go look for a tree now. What a strange year this has been, so unprepared for Christmas and discombobulated all around. Strange.
So in mid January I will be driving to Waxhaw, actually Jaars, in North Carolina. Not sure if I will take 80 or begin by going south to 40. Will I be crossing paths with any wanderers?? For anyone who lives in that area, I will be there for six weeks and am up for trips to visit. I will head back to the west in March.
Jo
Jo @7:10, we will! Less than the raise from last year, but we do get something! Better than work where we never get raises anymore 🙂
So I got a tree! Had to hit a couple lots, but got one at Home Depot, though they had to work to get one of the larger stands — only ones they had left — to fit. It’ probably about 5 feet tall, a pretty tree. Bigger than I’d planned but the ‘table top’ ones were either all gone or (for the ones left behind) pretty sad looking. It’s still in the Jeep, I’ll take it out later tonight and leave it in the patio until tomorrow.
Getting a (real) tree was a must in my house growing up. When my parents were first married they moved to a mostly Jewish neighborhood in Hollywood. Being from Iowa, they had no clue and were perplexed when they couldn’t find a Christmas tree lot. They went out with what little money they had on Christmas Eve to try to get one and were stumped.
Finally they came across a tree lot with just a couple trees left. The guy gave them a tree for free, they were so grateful.
And from the Internet: Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 71 million Americans will increase 3.2 percent in 2024.
Just in from corn hole with a cold wind blowing about twenty five degrees out. Came in for grandpa’s ice cream followed by phone call from brother. Daughter is doing Christmas crafts with grand daughter and grandson.
Written four hours ago but not sent.
Another night of being up a lot, listening to my dad’s odd breathing. According to duck duck go, it could be that Cheyne stokes breathing which could mean many things including imminent death or heart failure. Not a medical person in any way but I lean toward heart failure which could also mean imminent death or a long journey.
I am good with either option. I have prayed for the eyes of my dad’s heart to be opened for the past fifty one years and God will do what He will do. My dad is currently enjoying his life immensely but he is alone in many ways, though surrounded by people, sometimes family and sometimes workers at this place.
Oh, Mumsee, that is hard, but grateful that God is giving you insight.
My Dad was a doctor and the last time I saw him the room was full of family and he told us all that his breathing was the death rattle. He held on as he wanted to come home and then did his first morning home.
Jo
Thanks, dj, I knew you would have the information.
Jo, for a guy who likes to cook, I bought a Lodge cast iron wok for Wes that he enjoys. If hd likes to bake, a pastry cloth with a rolling pin cover might work.
Prayers for AJ.to have some enjoyable food and drink with perhaps a few good leftovers to share with Cheryl. Also praying all the daily advancements on mobility are progressing steadily. Please, Lord, give AJ help and envouragement all along this new path. You are so good to provide what Your children need, Abba. Thank You. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen
Mumsee, such wonderful Christmas news about your Dad!♡
I’ve been doing Christmas cards. I was looking up my 93 y/o friend’s address and accidentally hit the call button. We had a nice conversstion.😀
We had a great service today. So wonderful that son attended Sunday school and the service. Our whole family there together♡ That would not have seemed possible a few years ago.
Miss Bosley says “Hello” in Meowish language yo AJ in case hed is reading. It sounds sort of like “Mello.”
Missing our AJ, but know he is very busy and tired, needing sleep when hospital staff leaves him alone for a few moments.🙏🙏🙏
Jo, I expect to be around in January, but we are far from some parts of NC, not so far from the southern border (a few hours). I don’t drive outside of my vicinity anymore, and Art will be all involved with the new season of tax work.
I have been lifting AJ to the Lord, in the night, and this morning. Also praying for the Lord’s strength and stamina to be infused to Cheryl. I pray that she will get good nourishment during the long days of hanging around the hospital waiting for doctor rounds or procedures/tests. It’s hard to get good food at such times. Please, Lord, meet that need. I pray that AJ’s body is healing at a rapid pace. May he have kind people, many who believe in Jesus, helping him throughout his stay. Thank You, Lord, for how You are fully present with AJ and Cheryl today. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen
I have a friend whose body healed too rapidly after knee surgery. That left her with intermittent, lasting pain. I pray for healing in the best time for AJ. I also pray with you, Janice.
I worked sporadically throughout the weekend — but enough to make up all the hours lost for the Norma Rae walkout day, which was truly serendipitous. A few hours each on Friday night, Saturday and Sunday.
The Christmas tree is still sitting in the backyard with water in the stand. And I’m not sure how much time I’ll have today to deal with any of that, but maybe I can catch a few minutes in breaks here and there.
But tonight, immediately after work, we have our ‘coastal’ newsroom (we have several geographical clusters scattered far and wide) holiday party/dinner at an Italian restaurant across the harbor.
It’s going to be a cold night here, in the twenties. Brrr . . . below LA dog park cold! Enjoy your fun dinner, dj. It sounds delicious. Mama Mia, that’s a good sauce!
Missing AJ! So much clawing here for status of moving on to hit 200. AJ would not put up with it!
Son and I walked in the wind on the boardwalk. I commented that with such wind it could be dangerous. But you know youth and its immunity to thinking anything is dangerous. Mom was over reacting. Well, as we were returning to the parking lot, a tree beside the boardwalk came crashing down. It fell on the forest side rather than on the boardwalk. Vy impressive. I told son he had just seen something in his thirties that I had never seen until I was seventy. Good object lesson.
We had some wild wind and a few inches of rain here since yesterday. There were tree limbs down all over the place, and lots of power outages. The brook on our neighbors’ property, just over the property line in back, has turned into a mini-raging-river. Usually, because the land dips down a bit there, we can only see it from the upstairs windows, but when it rains like this, we can see it plainly from my downstairs windows.
I got an email saying that my checking account is overdrawn. there was a check pending for over 1200 which I did not write. But they don’t have the image yet to know who it was written to so I have to wait until tomorrow to do a stop payment. The check number is a number that might have been used 20 years ago or so.
Did you know that there is a 30 dollar charge for doing a stop payment?? Very interesting.
Jo
I hope that mess is straightened out for you, Jo, and that no other money is lost for you.
My second surgery is today, and I am looking forward to having it done. What a blessing other’s prayers are when we go through these things! Prayer for others affects us more than we realize, too.
Also, politics can recede so much in the face of our own immediate issues. Praying for AJ. 🙂
Our weather is anything but Christmassy. It is always interesting to see the low and high temperatures of any one day. That can well below zero to what we will have this year (during Christmas) in the thirties or up. The lows will be higher than the usual highs!
Nice for doing errands, but not nice for those who do business in winter recreation or for those who love to do the winter recreation activities. That is especially something the children look forward to during the Christmas break.
What do people here look forward to for the week between the holidays? We have two family birthdays, which may or may not be celebrated, since family may or may not be together. This year I am looking forward to family being together and the games we will play.
I had a pretty rough day and night yesterday, vomiting last night. But it seems to have helped settle things a bit. Gonna be hear 2 to 3 days yet it looks like. Miss my wife and kitties. And of course you guys.
So glad you are hanging in there, AJ! We miss you a lot! You are a real trooper to go through what all you are getting over. May you feel God’s strength empowering you through all the difficulties. You are passing this test! Vomiting is good to get out the bad! We can praise God in all things! We love you and God loves you more!
Jo, the one time I traveled cross-country in winter (from Boston to LA) we dropped down to I-40 right away to avoid bad winter weather. It was a long time ago so I don’t remember if that was because of specific bad-weather forecasts or just general principles. If the distances are similar I’d probably opt for the more southern route.
Good morning from NM. Continuing to pray for AJ and family. Prayers for your eye surgery, kathleena.
I sold my mother’s house yesterday. She has been gone for 2 years now. I think the couple will enjoy it. I cried. After we finished at the title office, we drove over to Clovis and finished Trey’s Christmas shopping, then drove 3 hrs home.
I am trying to work up the gumption to defrost the big freezer so I can start cutting meat. We have a beef hanging.
Jo- I agree with Kevin about taking I-40, though watch the weather for Northern Arizona. There are times when the snow is so thick the road gets closed, especially around Flagstaff.
The temps are predicted to hover around 60 today. Snow coming in this weekend ⛄️🎄
Aj good to see you and asking the Lord to give you strength and a calming of the stomach! Looking forward to when they release you and you get settled in at home!
Good to hear from AJ, I’m sorry it was such a rough day and night. Surgery is a trauma on our entire system and bodies, that’s for sure. But grateful we have it.
We had our coastal news “room” holiday gathering last night at a restaurant, lots of fun and greeting people we got to see out of their little virtual “squares” on the staff meetings in the mornings. 🙂
There were some fun games, lot and lots of socializing and chatter and hugs.
Our senior editor, in a hat with blinking Christmas lights, led the festivities and briefly at one point addressed the stressful union conditions currently, saying that management was quietly pulling for us which was good to hear. They’re not the enemy, it’s the owners way above them who are the problem in our minds; although, as with so many things in life, it’s complicated as we’re in an industry that is struggling.
One of the best and most succinct online comments — out of many — that was posted on the day of the walkout was one from one of our investigative reporters in another geographical section of our “newsroom” coverage area in SoCal. It summed our situation up briefly and accurately (and it reminded me of the outright 5% pay cute we’d also all received a number of years ago):
~ ~ i, too, love my job. i, too, am walking out today. no raise for more than 15 years, while inflation has jumped some 50%, and our pay was reduced 5%! hate to make things more difficult for the many good people in our management, but we must make the point that this is just not acceptable. ~~
I did manage to win a $50 Amazon gift card in all the fun and games last night, so that was sweet 🙂 Someone joked “don’t spend it all in one place.” haha
Kathaleena, I also loved just getting that 2nd surgery over and done with, in my case I had to wait 6 weeks, maybe more, in between the two surgeries as I had cold symptoms the night before the original 2nd surgery was scheduled (a month after the first) so that 2nd one had to be bumped for several more weeks.
We’re finally getting some rain this week, it took a long time to start — but we’re just glad we’re getting some again this year after all the years of severe drought we’ve had.
My Christmas tree, meanwhile, still sits in the backyard, waiting … waiting … to be brought in and decorated. I don’t think I’ve ever had a Christmas this belated in terms of decorating before. But I didn’t ask for any time off this holiday season and it made a difference, I’m seeing now. 😦
Meanwhile, I’ve reached the bottom of the bucket for stories after turning one in late yesterday that I scrounged up. But today’s a new day.
Interesting, my checking account is back to normal. No sign of the bogus check and no warnings.
Perhaps I should call fraud anyway just to get infor???
Jo
Thanks, Kevin. I am planning on dropping down to 40 unless the weather is wonderful.
80 would allow me to see more family, but I can always do that on my return in March.
Jo
Good morning, all. Beautiful day here. I had to stop and worship the Creator when I stepped out of the garage this morning. A low break in the clouds, sun just rising, light cold rain. Absolutely beautiful.
What is this? Do you have to be tended all of the time? No wonder the real is in the situation he is in! I step out for a minute. Tis the season for cooking baking as you know!
Ok, where are we? You don’t get to shout out the number you hope to claim. Your post has to line up exactly with the number after the number posted at the top of the comments. Seems simple enough. There is a system, people.
However there are one or two things that need changing and a certain misguided individual seems to have done something to disallow them. For example, where are the birthday cakes? Why can’t we penalize folk for driving jeeps through here? And how about the lady who keeps bringing a cat in here? There’s the guy with bats on his shoulders (has he never heard of white nose fungus? We don’t need that here!) and the lady who smells like coffee? The steel toed shoes?
I could go on, and I will. With the scepter here, I think I can see some improvements in our future.
What was the biggest grossing Christmas movie of all time and how much did it make?
-dj
(We had a book and movie trivia contest last night at our party so I’m inspired to spread the frustration — reporter who won — by a landslide, I’ll add — has tried out to be on Jeopardy.)
Speaking of numbers, today would have been my dad’s 94th birthday. If he were looking in on this thread, he would have had a simple solution to figuring out what number we’re on:
Hi Janice. I am going east to visit friends mostly. Wycliffe has a center in North Carolina, Jaars near Waxhaw. That is where the shipping department is and the aviation training. They have apartments and folks do furlough there or go to retire. So lots of friends and singles. Folks who want to get together and do things. The apartment that I am renting is cheap and includes utilities and is furnished.
I will also volunteer to serve in some capacity.
Jo
ok, Mumsee, I called the fraud department. It turns out that this is a bank error. The check was for a different account that was one number off from my number. Actually this has happened twice before.
Interesting problem.
Jo
Is Jo going to learn to fly? Maybe get a plane to park in her California garage? Glad the bank thing got resolved.
__________________
Math is not my friend, mumsee.
__________________
If anyone’s interested, Westminster Bookstore as a new chronological Bible that’s just been published with timeline helps, outlines; and it’s on sale (hardcover $27, I believe) through January something.
~ * Presents the ESV Text in Chronological Order: The entire Bible is divided into 8 distinct eras and organized in the order the events occurred
* New One-Year Plan: Each of the 365 daily readings begins with a summary and timeline to show how the reading fits into the broader biblical narrative
* Additional Content: Written introductions help readers reorient their minds on the next major biblical era
* Readable Format: 9-point text and single-column paragraphs make text easy to read
* Edited by Andrew Steinmann: Expert in biblical chronology and author of From Abraham to Paul: A Biblical Chronology
Math causes me to cry due to brain pain ….seriously!!! 201
I received a phone call from “Walmart” telling me a 3D something was purchased on my acct for 991.00. I don’t have an account but they wanted me to hit a “thanks” button… they’ve been blocked. Interesting the phone number had the same area code and first 3 numbers as my cell!
Another excellent Bible study on our purpose with grandson. Next we will bring a bit on the Holy Spirit and study free will/election. I told him we have to be willing to listen to all of Scripture, not just go with our biases and demand the others accept our way.
I am lost at finding support for free will while every where I look, I see election. I know strong believers on both sides but support for the views are weak.
we aren’t puppets
god knew from before creation what we would choose
dj, I was very happy my surgeries were scheduled so close together and that nothing prevented them both from happening. I always felt like I was walking in one of those halls of mirrors at a carnival. Waiting longer would have been a real pain.
I was one of a few people given a $25.00 gift card to Target because of the delay today. The apologies go a long way, too. Not sure what the cause was for it.
Kare gets the answer! That was one I also was able to get on that quiz (though I stumbled when it asked what was the first book in that series of books?); and questions about character names and songs from films like “Die Hard” and “Home Alone 2” (even though I have seen “Die Hard”) and how many roles did Tom Hanks play — and name them — in Polar Express? I drew a quite a few blanks.
We have free will but our wills are in bondage to sin. We are free to do what we want — but what we want, our “free will,” is tainted by the original sin we carry from our first parents. So yes, we’re free but … without God, it leads us often down the wrong road and making wrong choices.
It’s lightly raining tonight, will be getting more rain Wed – Friday. I guess it’s good for my poor Christmas tree which remains locked out of the house. 😦
Too late, I copied it. I have never heard it explained that way. Now I have to follow that into the arena of “I was dead in my trespasses” and see what we find.
Wow, what a thread this is turning out to be. Just got another message from a son whose mother is dying, I suppose he is in his thirties, but I picture him as a young boy at camp many years ago.
Praying Christ will ease the mom gently into His presence
Jo
180
You all have certainly slowed down!
I am so aware of high propane bills that I just keep bundling up instead of turning up the heat.
I even have my favorite wrist warmers on, the ones that tennis players wear to take care of sweat, but wrist are where there is such a flow of veins that mine get cold easily. And most shirts don’t really cover them very well. But I love these warmers.
Hi Jo. I am guessing the individual wishes to remain anonymous for now.
Husband saw the envelope for the power bill and said, I don’t want to open that.” But he did and was very much surprised, down over one hundred dollars.
I am off to bed. Stayed up too late making pound cake for my dad and peanut butter fudge for family. Daughter made spritz cookies today, I made the sugar cookies and lebkuchen.
I wrote my morning haiku a few minutes ago and along with it my statement of gratitude thanking God for not leaving us dead in our sins. Then I came here to find Mumsee’s topic, “dead in trespasses.”
Mumsee, I’d be dead in trespasses if I ate all those wonderful sweet treats!
Yesterday I went in person to Bible study and one friend had brought a variety of gluten free cookies in which I “freely” indulged. Another brought personal size bundt cakes for me and the other birthday lady and the same for Jesus. I saved my cake. Son is .now owner of the leftover cookies and cake.😀
Prayers for AJ as he goes through the ups and downs of recovery. It seems there will be a good day followed by a bad day and back and forth until finally there are more good than bad days.
Lord, please give AJ patience in the process of recovery. Please give Cheryl wellness and stamina during his recovery. Please build thdir faith muscles to trust in You fully for all their needs. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen
I have no idea what the number is–billions and billions?
Thanks for the link about the ESV chronological Bible. I have one on my Kindle, but I’d like a copy to hold in my hands through 2024.
I’ve been surprisingly blessed by reading a chronological Bible for the first time ever this year. I’m going to finish on time, too! 🙂
It was NLT, which I approached cautiously, but has turned out to be eye-opening (duh) just as you would expect the Word of God to be. 🙂
We left our church. It’s been agonizing calling the women in my Bible study to tell them–particularly after such a terrific day yesterday–that we are done as of December 31.
What would you do?
Despite two rounds of answering questions using Biblical passages, we were instructed by the elders to
1. Do not pray for physical healing.
2. Do not mention testimonies of physical healings.
3. Do not describe how to pray for physical healing.
Heartbroken.
We’re shifting to a foursquare church our kids attend who are delighted to welcome us.
Prayers for a good landing, whether permanent or interim.
I’ve somehow managed to come up with stories every day this week, despite the news valley of Christmas holidays. Today I have to find a way to have some fun with a story on a couple of our local political leaders taking roles in an on-stage reading of “Christmas Carol” on Friday night.
And this morning it’s raining! The first of three days, we’re told.
I guess my still partially-orphaned Christmas tree in the backyard might feel happy. Poor thing …
196
Came to share good news! Son has used an auger to clear the clog so the kitchen sink drains again. I told him, “Best Christmas and birthday gift ever.”
Wandering Views 
Thank you, AJ, for letting us know the schedule. You are loved by your Wanderers, and more than you can possibly know, by God. You will be greatly missed during your brief absence from us. You won’t be absent in our hearts as we will be lifting you up to the Lord in prayer frequently as a few days pass and beyond through full recovery.
God speed you through this in His perfection and goodness. I am so thankful for you and how God allowed you to keep us all close in good times and times of discomfort. ❤
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Amen.
Sharing a glass eye. 😀
I have to say the most recent glass eye is positively amazing. It is so realistic looking.
The eye doctor said I no longer need a lens for driving in the eye that has been done. That is the first time in my life I wouldn’t need that!
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The Lord keep you, AJ.
Off to see the new grandson.
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Amen, what Janice said. Blessings to you, AJ.
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Good snowy morning! Aj you were prayed over last thing before closing my eyes last night and first thing this morning! He is with you! ❣️🙏
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AJ — May God keep you and strengthen you through all of this. And give you peace. -dj
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Kathaleena, amazing, isn’t it? I still sometimes reach up to “take off” my glasses intuitively at night — then realize, oh, not there. I can drive with no issues.
The new lenses as our ‘new body part’ do kind of “glint” in certain lights, I’ve found, which is kind of weird. 🙂 When I told someone at church I’d had the surgeries, she said, “Oh, yes, I can see the light reflecting off your (new) eyes.” I’ve now noticed it in other people.
I’ve “walked” out of work today, no work, but also no pay. I hope it sends enough of a message that it moves management to make at least some kind of acceptable proposal.
If not, the union is threatening a longer, even an open-ended strike which I can’t imagine most of us would come close to beginning to afford to do. 😦
-dj
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Aj, what a gift you have given us in your presence. Please have Cheryl post a brief update as we pray.
The news thread today was so hopeful.
God is good
Jo
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Xoxo. Prayers continue, AJ.
M
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I had to change my password that controls my email account. So that went fine, not so for the verification of it on my phone and ipad. I will have to go to the store to find something that lets me use a regular plug in. Of course I have just that, but it won’t fit???
Jo
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AJ, if you have a moment to send an email with your address so I can send you a card, I would appreciate it.
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AJ, praying for you and will continue to pray.
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AJ – Praying here, too, and amen to all the above prayers mentioned.
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DJ – When I first noticed that “glint” in an eye while looking in the mirror in my bathroom, as the sun came in the window right beside me, I thought it looked like I’m a robot or a cyborg. 😀
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I will do my best to report in as soon as possible post-surgery. Thank you for all your prayers and care. You all are an important part of our lives.
Cheryl/Mrs. TheRealAJ
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Thank you so much, Cheryl♡
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Praying for you both, AJ and Cheryl.
~6 arrows
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Well, Bible study with grandson and son in law went very well, about one hour. We are all delighted and plan to go with twice a week.
mumsee
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wow, Mumsee, God is moving in the nest.
Blessings,
Jo
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Good to hear, mumsee.
Meant to say — regarding that special soap prescribed for pre-surgery (I used it for the knee surgery last year), it smells amazing, but it was so strong it stripped the color right out of the washcloth I was using! -dj
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We used Hibiclens the night before and morning of surgery. My brother did not have opportunity to do the at home prep. I do not remembrr that cleanser having a lovely fragrance. It was effective. I still have a bottle on hand.
Miss Bosley was really after something on the kitchen floor. I finally determined it was a piece of pine straw.😀 More fun than an expensive cat toy. Get ’em girl!
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Cats are so easily amused 🙂
The soap I had, in a bottle smelled so good I actually asked the hospital if I could buy it somewhere, but was told it’s “very drying” and I wouldn’t really like it so much as a regular cleanser 🙂
But my poor washcloth also really took a hit from it. -dj
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AJ, our prayers are with you. I have been so overwhelmed with all going on in my life that I have not taken time to check in on the blog regularly. I had in the back of my mind that your surgery was this week. I think you are covered in prayer from all directions of this country.
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Taking my shift right now out of Idaho at one AM, praying for the real and Cheryl.
mumsee
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I was awake and praying in the night..
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Quarter to seven in the Midwest. Praying here.
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Including Elizabeth and Issac in prayers, in addition to AJ and Cheryl.
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Good Morning. It’s another Friday.
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A privilege to pray for Aj this morning.
He posted a picture on Facebook of himself all ready for surgery.
Jo
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Hi everyone. Sorry this is so late. Elizabeth and I just got home and I admit I forgot when I was at the hospital.
Surgery started at 8:30 and ended around 3:00.
The surgeon let me know that the surgery went well and that he saw no spread of cancer.
He did take some lymph nodes to biopsy, and if they come back clear, Allen is cancer free. I got to see him a bit around 6 and then had my friends drive us home because I am wiped out.
Thank you all for your prayers, your encouragement and for the part you have played in this journey. God uses you all to change both Allen and I and we are so blessed by you.
Please continue to pray as we navigate and adjust to this new normal.
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So thankful to see your good report, Cheryl. Thank you so much for keeping us posted!
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Such good news! Praising God … thank you for the update. Get some rest. Love to all.
(I was thinking that was AJ writing that first graph and my head was spinning! What!? He’s ‘home’????) -dj
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Thank you Cheryl for checking in. We pray you find a night of restful sleep and for Aj as well. In His Hands…❣️❣️❣️
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Cheryl – Thank you for the update. Praying for you all. God bless!
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Thanks, Cheryl. Continuing prayer with great praise.
mumsee
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I saw his pre-surgery post on facebook when I got off work this morning. Thank you for updating. The prayers continue.
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4:30 a.m. Praying for AJ, especially in regards to when his team will get him up and moving as usually happens not too long after major surgery to prevent blood clots. Lord, please let the pain meds be just the right strength. I pray AJ will rally for the challenge of increasing activity as it is encouraged in proper timing based on his surgery and individual needs. Please bolster him with Your strength. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen
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Praying for AJ this morning, and for Cheryl. May God give you both strength and physical restoration at this stressful time.
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Praying here at four thirty Idaho time. May the family grow ever closer to the Lord as He is glorified through all of this. May they all know His joy and peace as they watch Him in action through various folk.
mumsee
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It is a joy to see God’s family pray for one another.
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Hey all.
They just got me up and in a chair. They gave me an epidural prior to surgery. Its worked so well I haven’t even had to use the morphine button, which is good. A little pain this morning, but bearable.
Thank you all so much for your prayers and encouragement. It’s been a blessing to Cheryl and i.
Love you folks,
Aj
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Stay ahead of the pain.
Glad to be part of the team and growing with you all in the likeness of Him. Iron sharpens iron.
A beautiful Idaho morning with another glorious sunrise. Supposed to get up to thirty eight, currently twenty eight.
mumsee
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Aj, so glad that you are sharing good news. Thanks for encouraging us as you recover.
Blessings
Off to church to finish filling all of the boxes of food to bless 30 families. Deacons will do the deliveries.
Jo
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Thankful, still praying for full and safe healing. M
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That’s great news, AJ! I saw it on Facebook before here. Loved your friend’s joke about broth😀
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Hey AJ, good to hear you’re up and (sorta?) at-em. It’s a good sign (and I don’t think any of us are ‘surprised’) 🙂
I’m so grateful the pain is managed well and we’ll be praying through this recovery process. Mostly, I’m relieved that this big hurdle is now behind you.
And the cancer-free part, too, of course. Thank you, Lord. xoxo -dj
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Hard to believe the real would stoop to such levels just to reach one hundred on a thread.
mumsee
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We are downsizing but keep growing. How is that?
mumsee
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Hmmm, I seem to be alone in the push to one hundred.
mumsee
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That is okay, I am accustomed to talking to myself. Just got a text from grandson, asking when we can get back to it.
mumsee
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Warner Colorado Saturday! Good to see ya Aj and you are surrounded by the prayers of us all!!❣️
A doozy of an HOA meeting this morning….ugh! Some people are just dumber than a bag of rocks…there’s just no explaining it. 😳
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Well that would be “warmer”….fat fingers alert!!!!
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My work assignment has now been broken up into both weekend days 😦 Interview now put off until 1 p.m. tomorrow, which will be challenging but … I’m trying to back-write the story today as much as possible.)
Guess I can go look for a tree now. What a strange year this has been, so unprepared for Christmas and discombobulated all around. Strange.
-dl
I’m declaring 100 early.
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No can do.
mumsee
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I meant to sign off with dj.
“No can do.” But why not?
-dj
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So, Miss reporter, will those of us on social security be getting a pay raise this year!!?? I don’t have any information and it sure would be nice.
Jo
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The counter says this should be 56.
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Thanks to jo, I got 57 on that last post. It’s been a while since I could claim that.
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So in mid January I will be driving to Waxhaw, actually Jaars, in North Carolina. Not sure if I will take 80 or begin by going south to 40. Will I be crossing paths with any wanderers?? For anyone who lives in that area, I will be there for six weeks and am up for trips to visit. I will head back to the west in March.
Jo
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Also, I have an 18 year old grandson and no ideas for a gift. He likes golf, skiing and cooking.
Jo
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I don’t have numbers on the posts. So just to be safe, can I just claim 100 every time I post? 🙂
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Well that’s no fair. Every time?
And I’ll go and tell mumsee if you do that. -dj
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Jo @7:10, we will! Less than the raise from last year, but we do get something! Better than work where we never get raises anymore 🙂
So I got a tree! Had to hit a couple lots, but got one at Home Depot, though they had to work to get one of the larger stands — only ones they had left — to fit. It’ probably about 5 feet tall, a pretty tree. Bigger than I’d planned but the ‘table top’ ones were either all gone or (for the ones left behind) pretty sad looking. It’s still in the Jeep, I’ll take it out later tonight and leave it in the patio until tomorrow.
Getting a (real) tree was a must in my house growing up. When my parents were first married they moved to a mostly Jewish neighborhood in Hollywood. Being from Iowa, they had no clue and were perplexed when they couldn’t find a Christmas tree lot. They went out with what little money they had on Christmas Eve to try to get one and were stumped.
Finally they came across a tree lot with just a couple trees left. The guy gave them a tree for free, they were so grateful.
-dj
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And from the Internet: Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 71 million Americans will increase 3.2 percent in 2024.
-dj
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Just in from corn hole with a cold wind blowing about twenty five degrees out. Came in for grandpa’s ice cream followed by phone call from brother. Daughter is doing Christmas crafts with grand daughter and grandson.
Written four hours ago but not sent.
mumsee
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So, has there been any progress? I see there have been some pretenders. I am looking at you, “DL” and Debra.
mumsee
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I told daughter and son in law that she could only do crafts with one grandchild at a time and it worked great.
mumsee
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Good morning, all, continuing prayer for the real. Specifically, keeping team real’s eyes on the Source of all healing and wisdom on pain control.
mumsee
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Another night of being up a lot, listening to my dad’s odd breathing. According to duck duck go, it could be that Cheyne stokes breathing which could mean many things including imminent death or heart failure. Not a medical person in any way but I lean toward heart failure which could also mean imminent death or a long journey.
I am good with either option. I have prayed for the eyes of my dad’s heart to be opened for the past fifty one years and God will do what He will do. My dad is currently enjoying his life immensely but he is alone in many ways, though surrounded by people, sometimes family and sometimes workers at this place.
May God be glorified.
mumsee
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Oh, Mumsee, that is hard, but grateful that God is giving you insight.
My Dad was a doctor and the last time I saw him the room was full of family and he told us all that his breathing was the death rattle. He held on as he wanted to come home and then did his first morning home.
Jo
Thanks, dj, I knew you would have the information.
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At grandson’s request I have begun my book on his dad’s exploits. Fun memories!
mumsee
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Jo, for a guy who likes to cook, I bought a Lodge cast iron wok for Wes that he enjoys. If hd likes to bake, a pastry cloth with a rolling pin cover might work.
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Prayers for AJ.to have some enjoyable food and drink with perhaps a few good leftovers to share with Cheryl. Also praying all the daily advancements on mobility are progressing steadily. Please, Lord, give AJ help and envouragement all along this new path. You are so good to provide what Your children need, Abba. Thank You. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen
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Lookee here.
mumsee
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Was not planning on church today. My dad was. We went. He sang. I praised.
mumsee
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Seventy five comments already?
mumsee
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I think this makes 100.
-dj
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I am posting just to take the numbers up. 🙂
Just got a message from a young man whose mom is dying. I haven’t seen him in years. Please pray that I will be a comfort.
Jo
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But Debra will probably try to claim it now, too.
-dj
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Or maybe I will?😀
Mumsee, such wonderful Christmas news about your Dad!♡
I’ve been doing Christmas cards. I was looking up my 93 y/o friend’s address and accidentally hit the call button. We had a nice conversstion.😀
We had a great service today. So wonderful that son attended Sunday school and the service. Our whole family there together♡ That would not have seemed possible a few years ago.
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100 🏃🏼♀️
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Miss Bosley says “Hello” in Meowish language yo AJ in case hed is reading. It sounds sort of like “Mello.”
Missing our AJ, but know he is very busy and tired, needing sleep when hospital staff leaves him alone for a few moments.🙏🙏🙏
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Well, the typos prevail. I am a perpetual goof on the keyboard it seems.😒
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#84
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NJ!
-dj
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Some people can’t count. 100!
Debra
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At the top of the thread is the count I go by. Debra’s so called 100 is actually 86. This should be 87.
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Jo- When in January are you heading East?
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Janice – You could have blamed Miss Bosley for the typos. 🙂
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90 – getting close
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Praying, Jo.
mumsee
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Dad went out for a moonlit walk this evening. Cool but not windy. About thirty out.
mumsee
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Did I mention my dad is now able to pick up his feet onto the footstool and take them down again? Makes for more independence!
mumsee
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Is that a jeep over there? With some kind of long legged Aussie running alongside?
mumsee
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Who is that with the pink flip flops?
mumsee
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I believe I may need some aspirin after this.
mumsee
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Well, well. This is a nice place. Been a while since I came by.
mumsee
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Just popping in to see if we toppled over 100!!
NJ
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Setting up the volley for the next stinker!! Nj
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? Who, me?
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Just checking in, in a timely manner, so to speak.😀
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Now who will get 200? How many posts did the Secret Room get? I nevrr went there.
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NCIS Marathon. Art is happy. Also watched Christmas with the Kranks.😀
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“Christmas With the Kranks” is a funny movie with a sweet ending. 🙂
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My oh my oh my. You folks have been busy. The competition around here is fierce.
I may leave around the 11th. Probably take my time and check the weather before planning the route
Jo
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Pink flip flops? Did Victoria find her way here?
Jo- We’ll be heading Southwest in early January, then to Texas on the 12th, so we won’t be around while you’re venturing East.
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Jo, I expect to be around in January, but we are far from some parts of NC, not so far from the southern border (a few hours). I don’t drive outside of my vicinity anymore, and Art will be all involved with the new season of tax work.
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Good morning from Atlanta!
I have been lifting AJ to the Lord, in the night, and this morning. Also praying for the Lord’s strength and stamina to be infused to Cheryl. I pray that she will get good nourishment during the long days of hanging around the hospital waiting for doctor rounds or procedures/tests. It’s hard to get good food at such times. Please, Lord, meet that need. I pray that AJ’s body is healing at a rapid pace. May he have kind people, many who believe in Jesus, helping him throughout his stay. Thank You, Lord, for how You are fully present with AJ and Cheryl today. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen
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I have a friend whose body healed too rapidly after knee surgery. That left her with intermittent, lasting pain. I pray for healing in the best time for AJ. I also pray with you, Janice.
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Morning! Praying with you sisters and brothers. Thankful too for the medical professionals helping our Aj in his careful recovery ❤️🩹
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Oh, I had never heard of too rapid healing😳
All in God’s timing will be good!
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Good morning everyone. I’m going into work early and I’m already late…if that makes sense. See you at break time… maybe. :–)
Debra
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Monday already?
I worked sporadically throughout the weekend — but enough to make up all the hours lost for the Norma Rae walkout day, which was truly serendipitous. A few hours each on Friday night, Saturday and Sunday.
The Christmas tree is still sitting in the backyard with water in the stand. And I’m not sure how much time I’ll have today to deal with any of that, but maybe I can catch a few minutes in breaks here and there.
But tonight, immediately after work, we have our ‘coastal’ newsroom (we have several geographical clusters scattered far and wide) holiday party/dinner at an Italian restaurant across the harbor.
For now, I need coffee.
I see I missed 100 by ‘that much.’
-dj
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It’s going to be a cold night here, in the twenties. Brrr . . . below LA dog park cold! Enjoy your fun dinner, dj. It sounds delicious. Mama Mia, that’s a good sauce!
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200!
Debra
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Stop it.
The real! We need you! She is cheating. She always cheats. It’s not fair. She can’t just say that!
Last time you gave Chas and me the sceptor and I think I still have it! You better watch out now, Debra.
mumsee
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O well, if you’re going to wield the septor I guess I will have to retract my declaration of possession of the coveted 200th post. But I’ll be back….
Debra
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Debra wears real work boots.
Just sayin’ you might be careful, mumsee. -dj
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Not boots, DJ, but they do have steel toes…. 😉
Debra
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Missing AJ! So much clawing here for status of moving on to hit 200. AJ would not put up with it!
Son and I walked in the wind on the boardwalk. I commented that with such wind it could be dangerous. But you know youth and its immunity to thinking anything is dangerous. Mom was over reacting. Well, as we were returning to the parking lot, a tree beside the boardwalk came crashing down. It fell on the forest side rather than on the boardwalk. Vy impressive. I told son he had just seen something in his thirties that I had never seen until I was seventy. Good object lesson.
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We had some wild wind and a few inches of rain here since yesterday. There were tree limbs down all over the place, and lots of power outages. The brook on our neighbors’ property, just over the property line in back, has turned into a mini-raging-river. Usually, because the land dips down a bit there, we can only see it from the upstairs windows, but when it rains like this, we can see it plainly from my downstairs windows.
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Steel toed shoes ain’t got nothin’ on the scepter.
mumsee
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And while it is out, I am thinking we are due for some changes around here.
mumsee
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Wow, Kizzie. That is impressive weather, too!
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One hundred twenty-five!
Cold (30s) moved in with high winds. But 50s the rest of the week. Welcome to Midwest Decembers.
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I got an email saying that my checking account is overdrawn. there was a check pending for over 1200 which I did not write. But they don’t have the image yet to know who it was written to so I have to wait until tomorrow to do a stop payment. The check number is a number that might have been used 20 years ago or so.
Did you know that there is a 30 dollar charge for doing a stop payment?? Very interesting.
Jo
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Ouch.
mumsee
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I hope that mess is straightened out for you, Jo, and that no other money is lost for you.
My second surgery is today, and I am looking forward to having it done. What a blessing other’s prayers are when we go through these things! Prayer for others affects us more than we realize, too.
Also, politics can recede so much in the face of our own immediate issues. Praying for AJ. 🙂
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Our weather is anything but Christmassy. It is always interesting to see the low and high temperatures of any one day. That can well below zero to what we will have this year (during Christmas) in the thirties or up. The lows will be higher than the usual highs!
Nice for doing errands, but not nice for those who do business in winter recreation or for those who love to do the winter recreation activities. That is especially something the children look forward to during the Christmas break.
What do people here look forward to for the week between the holidays? We have two family birthdays, which may or may not be celebrated, since family may or may not be together. This year I am looking forward to family being together and the games we will play.
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Hey all.
I had a pretty rough day and night yesterday, vomiting last night. But it seems to have helped settle things a bit. Gonna be hear 2 to 3 days yet it looks like. Miss my wife and kitties. And of course you guys.
See you soon,
Aj
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So glad you are hanging in there, AJ! We miss you a lot! You are a real trooper to go through what all you are getting over. May you feel God’s strength empowering you through all the difficulties. You are passing this test! Vomiting is good to get out the bad! We can praise God in all things! We love you and God loves you more!
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Hang in there, AJ.
I see while I’ve been out the last few days Big Sister’s dictatorial delusions reappeared. Ridiculous.
100
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Jo, the one time I traveled cross-country in winter (from Boston to LA) we dropped down to I-40 right away to avoid bad winter weather. It was a long time ago so I don’t remember if that was because of specific bad-weather forecasts or just general principles. If the distances are similar I’d probably opt for the more southern route.
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It’s really cold here, and feels like Christmas.♡
We look forward to playing games, and probably some outdoor hiking depending on the weather.
I had a checkup with doc. Got my BP down enough so no med for now. Lab work will reveal any other concerns.
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Good morning from NM. Continuing to pray for AJ and family. Prayers for your eye surgery, kathleena.
I sold my mother’s house yesterday. She has been gone for 2 years now. I think the couple will enjoy it. I cried. After we finished at the title office, we drove over to Clovis and finished Trey’s Christmas shopping, then drove 3 hrs home.
I am trying to work up the gumption to defrost the big freezer so I can start cutting meat. We have a beef hanging.
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AJ- The Lord gives strength.
Kevin- your 100 claim is late. Should’ve said 200.
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Jo- I agree with Kevin about taking I-40, though watch the weather for Northern Arizona. There are times when the snow is so thick the road gets closed, especially around Flagstaff.
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Morning! 200…..
The temps are predicted to hover around 60 today. Snow coming in this weekend ⛄️🎄
Aj good to see you and asking the Lord to give you strength and a calming of the stomach! Looking forward to when they release you and you get settled in at home!
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Good to hear from AJ, I’m sorry it was such a rough day and night. Surgery is a trauma on our entire system and bodies, that’s for sure. But grateful we have it.
We had our coastal news “room” holiday gathering last night at a restaurant, lots of fun and greeting people we got to see out of their little virtual “squares” on the staff meetings in the mornings. 🙂
There were some fun games, lot and lots of socializing and chatter and hugs.
Our senior editor, in a hat with blinking Christmas lights, led the festivities and briefly at one point addressed the stressful union conditions currently, saying that management was quietly pulling for us which was good to hear. They’re not the enemy, it’s the owners way above them who are the problem in our minds; although, as with so many things in life, it’s complicated as we’re in an industry that is struggling.
One of the best and most succinct online comments — out of many — that was posted on the day of the walkout was one from one of our investigative reporters in another geographical section of our “newsroom” coverage area in SoCal. It summed our situation up briefly and accurately (and it reminded me of the outright 5% pay cute we’d also all received a number of years ago):
~ ~ i, too, love my job. i, too, am walking out today. no raise for more than 15 years, while inflation has jumped some 50%, and our pay was reduced 5%! hate to make things more difficult for the many good people in our management, but we must make the point that this is just not acceptable. ~~
-dj
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I did manage to win a $50 Amazon gift card in all the fun and games last night, so that was sweet 🙂 Someone joked “don’t spend it all in one place.” haha
Kathaleena, I also loved just getting that 2nd surgery over and done with, in my case I had to wait 6 weeks, maybe more, in between the two surgeries as I had cold symptoms the night before the original 2nd surgery was scheduled (a month after the first) so that 2nd one had to be bumped for several more weeks.
We’re finally getting some rain this week, it took a long time to start — but we’re just glad we’re getting some again this year after all the years of severe drought we’ve had.
My Christmas tree, meanwhile, still sits in the backyard, waiting … waiting … to be brought in and decorated. I don’t think I’ve ever had a Christmas this belated in terms of decorating before. But I didn’t ask for any time off this holiday season and it made a difference, I’m seeing now. 😦
Meanwhile, I’ve reached the bottom of the bucket for stories after turning one in late yesterday that I scrounged up. But today’s a new day.
-dj
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Interesting, my checking account is back to normal. No sign of the bogus check and no warnings.
Perhaps I should call fraud anyway just to get infor???
Jo
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Thanks, Kevin. I am planning on dropping down to 40 unless the weather is wonderful.
80 would allow me to see more family, but I can always do that on my return in March.
Jo
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Jo, sounds like that was a scam of some kind. 😦
You sure do travel a lot. 🙂 -dj
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Peter, 200 is as much taken by others as 100, I don’t know why you think I should claim one instead of the other.
300
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This is now officially out of control.
-dj
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Jo, call fraud.
Good morning, all. Beautiful day here. I had to stop and worship the Creator when I stepped out of the garage this morning. A low break in the clouds, sun just rising, light cold rain. Absolutely beautiful.
mumsee
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What is this? Do you have to be tended all of the time? No wonder the real is in the situation he is in! I step out for a minute. Tis the season for cooking baking as you know!
Ok, where are we? You don’t get to shout out the number you hope to claim. Your post has to line up exactly with the number after the number posted at the top of the comments. Seems simple enough. There is a system, people.
However there are one or two things that need changing and a certain misguided individual seems to have done something to disallow them. For example, where are the birthday cakes? Why can’t we penalize folk for driving jeeps through here? And how about the lady who keeps bringing a cat in here? There’s the guy with bats on his shoulders (has he never heard of white nose fungus? We don’t need that here!) and the lady who smells like coffee? The steel toed shoes?
I could go on, and I will. With the scepter here, I think I can see some improvements in our future.
mumsee
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500!
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Stop it cat lady
mumsee
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Jo, I may have missed it, but why are you spending some months on this side of the Mississippi?
I have cat in the lap syndrome. My morning lab (lap) report proves it!
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Can anyone advise me of the safest place to buy gift cards?
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151!
So what’s my prize for following the rules?
I’m sure it’s a large gift. You can put it in the back of the Jeep since there’s no tall dog taking up any of that space.
Thank you.
I’ll just sit here idling until then.
-dj
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Wait!
Did Janice the cat lady just sneak in and ruin my accurate comment number? That really isn’t fair. I think I should still get a prize.
153!
-dj
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Gift cards: CVS is where I usually pick mine up here. -dj
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But you’ve asked: “Is it safe?”
Quiz: What movie is that from? What year? -dj
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Where is it always winter but never Christmas?
What was the biggest grossing Christmas movie of all time and how much did it make?
-dj
(We had a book and movie trivia contest last night at our party so I’m inspired to spread the frustration — reporter who won — by a landslide, I’ll add — has tried out to be on Jeopardy.)
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Speaking of numbers, today would have been my dad’s 94th birthday. If he were looking in on this thread, he would have had a simple solution to figuring out what number we’re on:
50,000,000
That settles it!
6
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Continued prayers, AJ.
Kath-a-leena (sorry, spellchecker is trying to change your name), prayers that the cataract surgeries are going well.
6
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Hi Janice. I am going east to visit friends mostly. Wycliffe has a center in North Carolina, Jaars near Waxhaw. That is where the shipping department is and the aviation training. They have apartments and folks do furlough there or go to retire. So lots of friends and singles. Folks who want to get together and do things. The apartment that I am renting is cheap and includes utilities and is furnished.
I will also volunteer to serve in some capacity.
Jo
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ok, Mumsee, I called the fraud department. It turns out that this is a bank error. The check was for a different account that was one number off from my number. Actually this has happened twice before.
Interesting problem.
Jo
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I am glad you got it resolved and glad to hear you are keeping an eye on them.
mumsee
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What in the world. This is really not all that hard. 151 comes directly after 150, when using whole numbers.
I am too busy for this. Craziness. I will be back. It is in numerical order. What do they teach them in schools these days?
mumsee
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Is Jo going to learn to fly? Maybe get a plane to park in her California garage? Glad the bank thing got resolved.
__________________
Math is not my friend, mumsee.
__________________
If anyone’s interested, Westminster Bookstore as a new chronological Bible that’s just been published with timeline helps, outlines; and it’s on sale (hardcover $27, I believe) through January something.
https://www.wtsbooks.com/collections/current-specials/products/esv-chronological-bible-hardcover-9781433589508
~ * Presents the ESV Text in Chronological Order: The entire Bible is divided into 8 distinct eras and organized in the order the events occurred
* New One-Year Plan: Each of the 365 daily readings begins with a summary and timeline to show how the reading fits into the broader biblical narrative
* Additional Content: Written introductions help readers reorient their minds on the next major biblical era
* Readable Format: 9-point text and single-column paragraphs make text easy to read
* Edited by Andrew Steinmann: Expert in biblical chronology and author of From Abraham to Paul: A Biblical Chronology
-dj
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New Math, of course.
We resigned from our church yesterday.
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Who did? Why? Are you okay?
mumsee
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Math causes me to cry due to brain pain ….seriously!!! 201
I received a phone call from “Walmart” telling me a 3D something was purchased on my acct for 991.00. I don’t have an account but they wanted me to hit a “thanks” button… they’ve been blocked. Interesting the phone number had the same area code and first 3 numbers as my cell!
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Another excellent Bible study on our purpose with grandson. Next we will bring a bit on the Holy Spirit and study free will/election. I told him we have to be willing to listen to all of Scripture, not just go with our biases and demand the others accept our way.
mumsee
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Election and free will don’t contradict, of course 🙂 -dj
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Narnia.
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31 more comments, but who’s counting?
It’s the thought that counts, therefore, 500!
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That is where we are looking. Walk me through it?
mumsee
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I am lost at finding support for free will while every where I look, I see election. I know strong believers on both sides but support for the views are weak.
we aren’t puppets
god knew from before creation what we would choose
I was dead in my trespasses and God made me alive
mumsee
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Those are the arguments I often hear along with, “We are not opening that can of worms. Haha.”
mumsee
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dj, I was very happy my surgeries were scheduled so close together and that nothing prevented them both from happening. I always felt like I was walking in one of those halls of mirrors at a carnival. Waiting longer would have been a real pain.
I was one of a few people given a $25.00 gift card to Target because of the delay today. The apologies go a long way, too. Not sure what the cause was for it.
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Kare gets the answer! That was one I also was able to get on that quiz (though I stumbled when it asked what was the first book in that series of books?); and questions about character names and songs from films like “Die Hard” and “Home Alone 2” (even though I have seen “Die Hard”) and how many roles did Tom Hanks play — and name them — in Polar Express? I drew a quite a few blanks.
We have free will but our wills are in bondage to sin. We are free to do what we want — but what we want, our “free will,” is tainted by the original sin we carry from our first parents. So yes, we’re free but … without God, it leads us often down the wrong road and making wrong choices.
It’s lightly raining tonight, will be getting more rain Wed – Friday. I guess it’s good for my poor Christmas tree which remains locked out of the house. 😦
-dj
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Can I use that?
mumsee
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Too late, I copied it. I have never heard it explained that way. Now I have to follow that into the arena of “I was dead in my trespasses” and see what we find.
mumsee
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Wow, what a thread this is turning out to be. Just got another message from a son whose mother is dying, I suppose he is in his thirties, but I picture him as a young boy at camp many years ago.
Praying Christ will ease the mom gently into His presence
Jo
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Enjoying listening to the rain hitting my skylights.
Jo
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180
You all have certainly slowed down!
I am so aware of high propane bills that I just keep bundling up instead of turning up the heat.
I even have my favorite wrist warmers on, the ones that tennis players wear to take care of sweat, but wrist are where there is such a flow of veins that mine get cold easily. And most shirts don’t really cover them very well. But I love these warmers.
So who left their church today??
Jo
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Hi Jo. I am guessing the individual wishes to remain anonymous for now.
Husband saw the envelope for the power bill and said, I don’t want to open that.” But he did and was very much surprised, down over one hundred dollars.
mumsee
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I am off to bed. Stayed up too late making pound cake for my dad and peanut butter fudge for family. Daughter made spritz cookies today, I made the sugar cookies and lebkuchen.
mumsee
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-dj
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I wrote my morning haiku a few minutes ago and along with it my statement of gratitude thanking God for not leaving us dead in our sins. Then I came here to find Mumsee’s topic, “dead in trespasses.”
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Mumsee, I’d be dead in trespasses if I ate all those wonderful sweet treats!
Yesterday I went in person to Bible study and one friend had brought a variety of gluten free cookies in which I “freely” indulged. Another brought personal size bundt cakes for me and the other birthday lady and the same for Jesus. I saved my cake. Son is .now owner of the leftover cookies and cake.😀
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Temp has gone up from 27° to 28°. Still feeling like Christmas❤💚
I’ve heard a rumor the the Grinch Who Stole Christmas has been roaming around the nation. Anyone seen him in your state?
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Prayers for AJ as he goes through the ups and downs of recovery. It seems there will be a good day followed by a bad day and back and forth until finally there are more good than bad days.
Lord, please give AJ patience in the process of recovery. Please give Cheryl wellness and stamina during his recovery. Please build thdir faith muscles to trust in You fully for all their needs. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen
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Morning and amen!
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Amen and good morning, to turn a phrase.
I woke up delighted that DJ has finally solved the puzzle for me. It all makes sense now and has been in front of my face all this time.
mumsee
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It is in the 50″s here. Still getting rain but not much snow in the mountains. We rely on mountain snow pack to get us through the summer.
Jo
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Another beautiful day here! Sun just peeking through.
mumsee
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192. Happy, Mumsee?
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I have no idea what the number is–billions and billions?
Thanks for the link about the ESV chronological Bible. I have one on my Kindle, but I’d like a copy to hold in my hands through 2024.
I’ve been surprisingly blessed by reading a chronological Bible for the first time ever this year. I’m going to finish on time, too! 🙂
It was NLT, which I approached cautiously, but has turned out to be eye-opening (duh) just as you would expect the Word of God to be. 🙂
We left our church. It’s been agonizing calling the women in my Bible study to tell them–particularly after such a terrific day yesterday–that we are done as of December 31.
What would you do?
Despite two rounds of answering questions using Biblical passages, we were instructed by the elders to
1. Do not pray for physical healing.
2. Do not mention testimonies of physical healings.
3. Do not describe how to pray for physical healing.
Heartbroken.
We’re shifting to a foursquare church our kids attend who are delighted to welcome us.
Still, we’re grieving.
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It’s a race to 200.
Jo, are you going to be on I40 through NM? Depending on when you come through, we could meet up? I only have a 5 shift run next week.
AJ, the prayers continue. I am sure you are watching for bodily functions to return to normal.
We got 1/2 of the beef cut and wrapped. Now, for the other half.
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I’m so sorry M.
Prayers for a good landing, whether permanent or interim.
I’ve somehow managed to come up with stories every day this week, despite the news valley of Christmas holidays. Today I have to find a way to have some fun with a story on a couple of our local political leaders taking roles in an on-stage reading of “Christmas Carol” on Friday night.
And this morning it’s raining! The first of three days, we’re told.
I guess my still partially-orphaned Christmas tree in the backyard might feel happy. Poor thing …
This is a very weird Christmas on my end.
-dj
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195
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196
Came to share good news! Son has used an auger to clear the clog so the kitchen sink drains again. I told him, “Best Christmas and birthday gift ever.”
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Wishing AJ could take 200!
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Isn’t there a tradition of bringing the tree in on Christmas Eve? That may be what happens here this year!
198?
-dj
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200!
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