Spiders, and snakes, and scorpions, oh my!!

That seems to be the word I'm receiving from people around here. Black widow spiders, scorpions - check your shoes before you put them on, even in the house. The tarantulas are not dangerous. Because we have so many empty lots, trees, etc, where we live, we will probably get more of the fun stuff. The RS pres told me not to worry, everyone scared her also and she's never seen anything. But I think she lives where it's more "civilized" and so most of that stuff has either been killed there, or found a new home elsewhere. Part of why we liked it in this subdivision also makes it more prone to the wildlife - not many houses, lots of trees, vegetation, etc. On an unhappy note, the ringing in my ears continues. I saw a dentist, he put me on prednisone. I think no dentist can help me now. I have an appointment with an ENT, and will make one with an acupuncturist - both recommended names. I also prayer all the time for healing.

Texas

Well, we are here. I always say I have to spend the first year after I move complaining about the new place, and telling everyone how much I really, REALLY, liked the old place. But I don't think I will become a Texan. The movers arrive today with all our stuff, and then the fun begins for me, putting it all away. Our next move to Utah will be our last. Rick had last week off for the move, back to work today. The FDA is in one Hospira location - Rick is afraid they are heading for his soon. He had hoped to have 6 months or so to get it straightened around before the FDA is in. I hope so also, for his sake.

We're out of here...soon

The movers arrived yesterday, Mon. They tore into this place, packing like winter is coming, or something. I picked up Rick at the airport at 10:45. I sure missed him, so nice to have him back. Really makes me appreciate him more. They will finish packing today, maybe start loading and loading on Wed. They might be finished loading Wed evening, and we can all leave. I will really miss the good friends I have made here, that's for sure. But, we are happy to be getting off the North East coast. Paige and the little girls are coming March 1, then Kincade the following Tues, and maybe all the boys will come also. They are trying to work it out so there are be in Austin when Paige and Co are. Ohhh, can't forget to mention this. The people we are buying from have been so helpful and nice about everything - and they also sent an email that said to watch out for snakes in the backyard in the spring, tarnatulas (just put them aside, they aren't dangerous) and black widows and another deadly spider, probably a brown recluse. Kill them!!! And I thought, Oh, isn't that loverly.

Potato Heads

These 2 Potato Heads are cute, but slightly unusual....hmmmm, something about them....looks familiar....can't quite put my finger on it....

Friends

One of the things I'm going to miss about Philly is our ward. In the short 2 years we have been here, I have developed some good friendships. And one of the friends I'm going to miss is Ernie Joseph. She has been my VT companion from the beginning. I felt honored to be asked by her to be her escort as she went thru the temple for the first time. She is about my age, has a few health problems herself, but always, always is cheerful. At the end of any conversation, she will tell you to have a blessed day. She truly lives her life by and with faith. One of the things she says she asks the Lord for every day, as she says her morning prayers, is this: "I ask the Lord for a spring in my step, a song in my heart, and a smile on my face." And that is how she lives her life.

Good health

I always forget how grateful I am for good health when I'm feeling good, and am amazed at the many, many ways the human body can become ill. My own head, jaw, bone, what have you issues, have reminded me to be more compassionate to others when they aren't feeling great, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually. I am so grateful to those that listened, felt compassion, and tried to help me feel better, especially Rick and Jason and my church friends. I had a blessing Sunday night (don't know why I didn't think of this before!!&%$) and was told that I would heal, and I would know the correction direction to take to find answers. I spent last week seeing my doc, another dentist for a 2nd opinion, and my dentist. My dentist told me to not expect this to be resolved in 3 months, maybe not even 6 months. But that at least gave me a time reference. I had been doing some jaw excercises that the dentist gave me, and noticed on Sat that my jaw hurt like the devil. I attributed it to the exc, and won't do them again, at least for a while. I'm so grateful to the Lord for answers and beginning healing.