Getting Ready to Leave is Stressful

This blog is being written on Monday, January 4, 2016. Our internet is inconsistent so I’m not sure when it will be posted but blogging is on again. I know, not many people blog anymore unless it is for a business or something. But it is the easiest way to let people know what we are doing if they are interested.

I was thinking about this blog last week and wondering what one word might summarize the last two to three weeks. The word that comes to mind is “stress.” And the stress can be broken down to about three words: computer, diverticulitis, and weather. Oh, add Christmas celebrations to the list also.

We had been planning for several months to leave on Monday, December 21. All our preparations and planning was aimed to this date. But first, we had to do two major things with the church. One was the Senior Adult Potluck on the 18^th. This was a special Christmas meal that required several hours of decorating the night before. We didn’t do this alone. Arlyn and Barbara were prime movers and we just helped them. It was a great Christmas potluck, beautifully decorated in a Victorian style. They also surprised me with a birthday cake and a dedicated song. I was thoroughly embarrassed! Add a little stress.

The second thing we did was host our share of the Staff Open House the afternoon and evening of Sunday the 20^th. This is kind of like a progressive meal. Our portion was the dessert. We made (mostly Ginger made) bread pudding Saturday. After church Sunday we made toppings for the bread pudding. I made butter rum and butter vanilla. We also had hot caramel, cream, and ice cream with raisins and chocolate chips. Your choice. Have fun. Yum. We had about 60-65 people come through our door. Then of course, we cleaned up and returned the borrowed tables and chaffing pans. By the way, Pastor Doug had appetizers and Rachel had the main course. Add a little stress.

Ok, so we are working to make these occasions great but early in the week I felt a pain on my left side. It didn’t go away so I figured I had a kidney infection. Better go to urgent care and get some medication for it. Well, I didn’t diagnose it very well. After lab tests and a CT scan they determined I had diverticulitis. I was prescribed 10 days’ worth of the worst tasting pills I have ever had. After getting sick on them I deducted I should space them out through the day and eat food with them. I was not in great pain but we wondered if we should leave on schedule – or leave at all. Add quite a bit of stress.

Just to make this more dramatic my computer decided to begin acting out. First it was no connection to the internet, then the screen going blank, then the method I had for fixing the screen no longer worked. Of course, I needed my computer to finish up things before leaving. I managed to salvage what I really need by booting it up in Safe Mode. The end result: I got a new computer for my birthday. Then put the programs on it that I needed (Thanks, Phil). The biggest problem is that it has Window 10 and the programs are 2016. I am used to using Windows 7 and my programs were 2007. Big change. Big learning curve. I got what I needed for the moment and took both computers to son-in-law Korak to update documents, email, etc. Add more stress.

So Monday the 21^st comes. We were going to leave late in the day, travel to Grants Pass and park in Mike and JoAnn’s front yard. Then leave early Tuesday going down either I-5 or 101 depending on the weather. But it was very rainy and windy and I was still undecided about my newly discovered medical condition. Add more stress.

We waited until Tuesday to leave. The RV was loaded (probably should put that in caps; it definitely was LOADED) so all we did was get in and go. We departed Salem at 7:25 and arrived at the Olive Pit in Corning, California at 4:30. Long day, lots of stops (we only missed 2 or 3 rest areas!), off and on rain but no snow. As you can see, we went down I-5. The next day was easier. We took our time to get to Lost Hills, California and the next day on to Los Angeles. We parked (“camped”) in Marina Christian Fellowship’s back parking lot. This is the church our kids attend. We arrived about 2:00 Christmas Eve.

We had electric but no other hookups. Nice and cozy – and cold at night. The kids were at Korak’s parent’s house for Christmas eve so we had an enjoyable evening unwinding and attending a really good Christmas Eve Service at the church. Christmas day we had a great Korak-made breakfast and then open gifts with the family. Much fun.

As soon as we setup in the church lot all my tension went away. What a relief just to be there. I’ve decided I don’t like driving the RV on LA freeways. It’s not the traffic so much as the bumpy ride. We rattle and bounce over the broken and uneven pavement. (No, Jim, they did NOT repave the right lane!) But we made it with no major incidents, only one close call when a semi driver figured he had the right of way when entering the freeway from the entrance ramp. He won, I braked hard.

The eleven days in LA were all kids and grandkids. It was lots of fun; lots of going here and there. We said goodbye after church on the 3^rd and headed east on the I-10. We had to leave that day because the church rents the parking area and surrounding buildings to the Los Angeles School District and the Charter school using the facilities started the next day.

Sunday afternoon we pulled into the Fountain of Youth RV Spa on the east side of the Salton Sea. We will be here for a week enjoying the hot water pools (they have about six), reading, and resting. Then off to Catalina. Sorry there are no pictures. Maybe next time. So until the next blog – blessings.