LAZY SUNDAY

I was so exhausted last night that I was in bed before 9 PM (the fur-babies had kept me up most of the night, before); Holland stayed up for a bit with the fur-babies. There was train traffic off-and-on throughout the night and morning hours, but it wasn't disruptive. It was actually kinda soothing ;-)

Because I went to bed so early, I was wide awake by 5 A.M. So, I carefully got up so I wouldn't wake Holland - he needs the sleep.

I drank a couple cups of coffee, spent time with Elohim, ran the pups out two or three times, and surfed the internet while Holland's body rested.

After Holland got up … I went back to bed for a bit.

I think this may become a routine. The pups need to relieve themselves in the early morning hours - and once Holland's up, he's up: he needs more sleep than he's been getting. I don't mind getting up with the pups and letting my husband sleep, and then going back to bed for a hour or so - Holland needs at least 2 hours to fully wake up anyway - and he doesn't like a whole lot of activity or chit-chat while he's clearing the cobwebs. This routine will work for everyone ;-)

When I woke up again and rejoined husband and pups, Holland said, "Why don't we just be lazy today; it's Sunday, and we're retired. Let's take a lazy day break. We'll take the dogs down to the river … how about we leave the kennels at home and let them ride in the back cab?" Then seeing my eyes widen: I was thinking that Sonny is not trustworthy yet; Holland said, "You have to let them grow up, Baby. Trust me - they'll be okay." I finally relented, but I insisted we take two beach towels to spread on the cab floor, {just in case}.

And both pups were very good on the way to the river … and on the way back home :-)

The boys were in the back - kenneless - and they were trustworthy: NO messes.

Sonny will be the easy-going one; Bleu is more cautious and territorial.

4-wheeling at Camelot Shore, along the Cowlitz River.

When we got back home, there were two FB posts for me - I'm going to make time to see these friends before we head South ;-)

Ramona's post.

Chrystal's Post; I'll collect the books & visit tomorrow morning.

And … I cooked my first Supper meal on the RV stove. 'What's the big deal', you may be asking yourself. Well - Holland has been doing most of the cooking since we got married five months ago (1) because he likes to cook (2) he likes to BBQ/grill (3) he likes to spoil me. But tonight, I pulled the Wife Card out and waved it around saying, "Just relax. Be lazy this Sunday, and let me spoil you for a change."

I also filled some reusable coffee filter cups: Holland likes the strong stuff. I like flavored coffees ;-)

We were feeling the unhurried newly married vibe. The whole day was a relaxing, peaceful, advertisement of domesticity :-)

Cooking for the first time on this gas stove … Holland normally BBQ's with the smoker-grill.

We are trying one of the Patriot Food packages to see if they are worth the money spent on them; this meal smells good. It was okay - it will do. Next time we will eat only half a package, and I'll add cooked hamburger bits to it.

Filling the reusable coffee filters for the K-Cup Coffee Maker.

Ready for Holland's morning coffee …

Bedtime shattered the peaceful atmosphere.

I had a severe asthma attack a few minutes ago; I seriously thought Holland would watch me suffocate to death on mucus (this is not a pretty sight to see - an asthma attack gives you a swollen face, uncontrollable tears as your body fights to stay alive, strain marks on face & neck from struggling to inhale, a sore throat from the coughing fit WHILE struggling to breath, and eyes that transmit a realization that you are dying).

Holland knew just what to do: he started praying for me; found an inhaler, and made me a strong cup of coffee. I have not had an attack in a looooong time, and I was surprised at this one showing up.

My bridegroom wants me to keep inhalers at hand at all times, now: he pulled his Husband Card out and gently waved it around, saying, "I am your Husband - you promised, of your own free will - to obey me. Obey me in this. I love you, and as much as you want to go Home … you are not going to die on me." He does not want me to be lazy with my attitude about asthma, anymore. So, I guess besides carrying an inhaler in my purse, there will be one in the bedroom/both bathrooms/livingroom/and truck - I do have enough inhalers to do as he says.

BUT … I still trust Elohim (not an inhaler) to keep me alive until He calls me Home beyond the clouds. An inhaler is worthless when I cannot draw air IN. It is Elohim's compassion towards us that opened my throat and lungs to inhale. Someday it will be time to go Home, and that will not happen; and I need Holland to understand that - and be okay with that. To have overwhelming peace when that day arrives.

I love my husband.

I love being married to my best friend.

I love this Chapter of my New Life.

But my ultimate Goal is to get Home: I'd just rather not know my body is dying. I rather Holland not watch my body die.

GETTING STUFF DONE

The 'To Do List' seems endless.

So does the waiting.

And the chronic pain.

There is stuff that needs to get done … and a limited time-frame in which to accomplish everything.

We were sitting around drinking our coffee and discussing the things each of us needed to get done - at least by Friday. We will be moving again Friday morning.

We don't mind being on the move; we mind being held hostage by someone else's scheduling, and by the pain that enflames Holland's shoulders/arms by mid-day. I want him to get an X-ray next time he sees his disability doctor … and he says, "No. If I get an X-ray and need surgery, that could upset our travel plans for at least 6 months - maybe longer." I say, "Wouldn't it be prudent to know what we're dealing with? I think it's severe arthritis, but it is possible you have torn something with all the heavy lifting you've been doing. Please: you are in severe pain - find out. At least then we'll know how to pray effectively. And if we end up sitting in an RV Park for months while you heal, that's what we'll do. We won't like it, and it will be spendy: but we'll do it. I am your wife Holland, you aren't alone anymore - I'll support you in your decision one way, or the other."

We looked at The List: there were five {necessary} stops we needed to make before Supper time. It was 10 AM, and Holland's shoulders start burning like fire around noon. So, I said, "All this needs to get done today - I'll drive, and that will take some of the pressure off your arms. But, I can't listen to big hair bands from the '90's today, Holland (that's all he listens to when he drives). I don't want those depressing lyrics running through my mind, and I don't want to hear falsetto screeching today (that includes my preferred 70's rock and roll). The babies kept me hopping all night long; I barely got any sleep - I need low-key music today." KUKN was the music channel agreed to: Holland hates country music, but he was going to be the passenger today - the driver chooses the music ;-)

First order of the day was to stop at Scott & Lana's, and see if there were any packages delivered for us; we have been waiting for a food shipment, and anticipate it arriving before we pull stakes, here.

Then we would steadily work our way through the listed items as we drove from one end of town, to the other; and up over Delameter back to Home.

Thankfully KUKN played decent modern country songs, and Holland was okay with it (though he did switch stations while I was in WinCo buying groceries - I heard it booming out the open windows as I exited the store ;-)); but for the majority of the day, KUKN was burning up the airwaves. And at one point, when it was announced that Diamond Rio would be playing at the Cowlitz Fairgrounds and I expressed disappointment that I'd miss them a.g.a.i.n. … Holland said, "Why don't you look up their itinerary online when we get home, and if they happen to be where we are at any given moment on the road, we'll go see them." I just stared at him for about a heartbeat before saying, "You don't country music, Holland; I couldn't put you through that - you'd be miserable." He said, "I could sit through it Baby, if it means that much to you."

HE'S THE GREATEST :-)

Diamond Rio - 'Love A Little Stronger' song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubMxuhkBdeo

Diamond Rio - 'Beautiful Mess' song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4oZ90_24_M

Diamond Rio - 'I Was Meant To Be With You' song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJxSMcrVaSI

Diamond Rio - 'I Believe' song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcgb1xS6OLw

It was an enjoyable day out.

Elohim showered us with grace all day long: Holland's pain wasn't sending him to his knees with sharp groans, and e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. on The List got done … both fur-babies behaved, and Sonny did not get car-sick :-)

The dehydrated food packages arrived; long-term food storage in an RV is very limited, this seems the wisest choice to eat healthy.

It all looks good. I think this will work for a while; ALL packages say "8 serv.", which realistically is 3 or 4 servings for adult portions.

The boys got new leash halters - Holland hates the color, but there was no black available in their size.

They do look sissified, but they are growing fast; they will soon be wearing black … or camo - if available … halters ;-)

This Shabbat was blessed from beginning to end.

It is good to be greatly loved and highly favored by The Most High God :-)

BOTH DOGS OFF-LEASH~Jones Beach-OR

Yep 👍 My hubby is learning this Married Lesson, too 😂🤣

I showed him this pic on my cousin's Page, and he started laughing. He said, "yeah - that's what happened here, too." 😘

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Holland wanted a guard dog - I didn't want a dog at all; been there, done that. I didn't want to be tied down with another dog. I wanted to be free to get up and go whenever I felt like it.

Holland insisted - we compromised.

Holland wanted a full-grown rescue dog - I nixed that idea; I didn't want to deal with someone else's headache, or canine abandonment issues.

Holland kept insisting we {need} a guard dog - we compromised: he finally agreed we could get a puppy ;-)

One puppy became two puppies :-)

Teaching Bleu & Sonny to come to each of our calls - Holland verbal; me, a whistle.

Jones Beach-OR

Furry explorers … Fishing Season 2023 just opened up.

Sometimes they grate in Holland's nerves (the high pitched puppy barking & night-time whining) … and I remind him how much he insisted we "need a guard dog." When I remind him, he looks at the frisky, barking, bundles of lovable fur - and I say, "These fur-babies will grow up to be exactly what you wanted; they will learn to be quieter. They will guard us faithfully because they will know they were raised with love. Puppies grow up to be full-size dogs - you will have your 'guard dog' before this year's end."

By this time next year, Holland will appreciate the compromise ;-)

The boys are learning to get along with each other.

Compromise is a GOOD THING :-)