Hope

It's bitterly cold here in Spokane.  We are down around 20 degrees.  I am dressed in layers just to be in the house.  But there is no wind, so that makes it all good.  In Kansas the wind would be blowing and the wind chill would be below zero.  I can't complain!  I do have shelter and food.  I hope you do too!

I am thankful for shelter, food and many other things.  I have friends, and I have the gospel in my life.  The gospel gives me peace.  How?  By my knowing that it is true:

1. I will live forever
2. Death is temporary - it is the separation of the body and spirit
3. I will be resurrected- my body and spirit (soul) will come together again, never to be separated.
4. I will see my loved ones again and live with them forever.
5.  I have a loving Heavenly Father who will always be there.

These are the things that keep me happy and hopeful every day.

Halloween fun

I love being at home!  I get to read my scriptures as long as I want.  Then I get dressed and pick the next thing I will do.  I can wash the dishes, sweep the floor, or walk on the treadmill.  Today I started crocheting.  There is something about getting to choose that feels good.  I am even enjoying going through my old papers.  Normally that is a task that I abhor.  I have the hardest time choosing what to keep and what to throw away.  I have saved all the papers I wrote since kindergarten, I guess.  I really need to weed those!  But it is so fun to go back in time.

I have been thinking about my Grandma today.  She liked to have fun, especially on Halloween.  She loved practical jokes and dressing up.

My mom followed in her footsteps by being the witch at Cub Scout Halloween parties.  She'd have a cauldron of dry ice bubbling and she would be stirring it up and making the best witch's cackle I have ever heard.  She had the hat and the long nose and a black cloak all around her.  That's a fun memory for me.

Today is a blog day.  So I will be adding some info about my dementia adventure.

Twists and Turns

Life really takes twists and turns.  I have been working but now I am home and plan to get many things done.  First, I want to get all my photos arranged, saved, etc.  I also started a blog, which tells about my journey with dementia and brain impairment.  Don't know much yet, but I'll get smarter as I go.  hahaha.

Mostly, I want to keep this blog for my kids and family.  This is my diary.  The new blog, entitled "The Gift of Slowing Down" will be for the public.  If I can figure out how to set them up that way.

I am going through papers, organizing stuff, and putting down my memories.  It's a good thing. I've wanted to do it for a long time.  Now I have the time.

I had a wonderful blessing on Sunday.  Jeff administered it and 2 others priesthood holders assisted.  I know that I will be watched over and that I will be safe.

Jeff is working a Vivint now - selling home alarms.  It is good money.  We hope to pay off our school debt, someday.

So, my wonderful family, keep on trucking!  There is a lot to do and little time to do it.  Let's get to it and enjoy the ride.
Love, Kathy

Things are looking up!

Jeff and I are working!  Jeff has been employed at Vivint - they sell home automation and security.  Great company - they really care about their product and their employees.

And this week I started an internship/paid job at the LDS Employment Resource Center.  I am contacting companies and telling them about the services we offer.  I enjoy the atmosphere here because everyone is upbeat, respectful, and willing to help.  

In my spare time, I've started doing some genealogy.  Right now I am taking all my dad's stuff and organizing it as well as digitize.  I am also taking time to look up documents to make sure they are accurate.  

These are happy days!

We got the job!

Jeff is starting at Vivint in July.  At last the drought is over and we are so grateful!  Thank you for your prayers in our behalf over the past few years.  We are so grateful for the blessings we have received these past years.  We have gained many friends and you have helped us get through.  We are humbled and grateful.

Possible Good News

Don't know anything yet, but we are interviewing for jobs, both Jeff and I.  It is a great company!  Won't know anything for a little while.  Hopefully we will have good news in the next week or so.  Hope you are all doing well!  Thanks for hanging out with me here.

Kathy

I'm still here!

Yes, I am still here in Washington and I am still here for my blog.  It is crazy how time passes and you don't feel it passing.  During the past year+ we have moved into an apartment above the museum and are now caretakers..we work for our rent.  My son Jeffrey got married in December to an amazing woman named Jennifer, and Jaimie is working toward premed while she holds her job and takes Sophomore classes.  She went from working at pet daycare to making cookies at Mrs. Fields Cookie Shop in the Oak Park Mall.  

Meanwhile, we still don't have paying jobs.  Oh, we work for our rent and have a great apartment, but we have not progressed, except for becoming more humble.  I worked for a couple of months for the local public library and learned a lot.  But neither of us has found a steady fulltime job.  I can tell you that living on little is a challenge, but it is also freeing.  I just don't feel like I have to buy anything.  Life is more simple.  We don't go anywhere because gas is so much.  Maybe this sounds really bad, but I have so many things that I love to do...like reading, crochet, embroidery, walking to the library to check out more books, and surfing the net.

Having a simple life is not so bad.  There are fewer decisions for sure.  I am lucky to have a computer and free internet because that allows me to keep in touch with family and friends.  And I love reading...of course the library is free.  So I am happy to have shelter, food, and 2 legs to get me around.