SPIRIT

Crown your man; minister love to his spirit.

I got up around 5:30 AM, spent some time talking with Elohim … and tending to the fur-babies' needs. Holland got up around 10 AM (he didn't fall into bed until around 1:30 AM), so he needed the sleep.

We are still getting used to each other, finding balance in new circumstances, and working out situations that best fit our life - and our marriage. Right now in the spirit of unity; split-shifting sleep patterns and fur-baby responsibilities is what works in the moment.

When Holland had drank his morning coffee, and woke up enough to converse coherently, he said, "I have a major headache." I said, "You were up into the wee hours of the dawning morning … plus, the babies are smelling strongly like dogs - that's enough to give anyone a headache; and that could be one of the reasons for my asthma flare-up the other night." And he said, "Let's see if there is a dog bath available." I called the RV Resort's Office, and they said the Dirty Dawg Bath on grounds, wasn't open yet (it's down for maintenance) … so, I went online and found a groomer up Spirit Lake Highway; she said she could get them in around 1'noon, so we all got ready :-)

(((Thank You, Elohim!))); the pups will get bathed & trimmed.

Spirit Lake Highway-WA

Asthmatics aren't supposed to have furry pets - but I am not giving up the pups: in the spirit of faithfulness … and by the power of His Holy Spirit, Elohim will just have to honor Yeshua's healing of me at Calvary 2,023 years ago ;-)

I drove, so Holland's sore arm wouldn't be hurting right off the bat. I missed the sign among the roadside weedy litter … and had to make a U-turn a bit further up the highway.

We dropped them off around 12:25'noon - and then decided to back-tracked to the mexican restaurant in Castle Rock for lunch while the fur-babies were being bathed and clipped ;-)

Mexican Restaurant in Castle Rock-WA

Castle Rock area - about 2 shakes of a lamb's tail from our front door as we sit, now.

Interior; neither of us have ever eaten here before, though we both had driven past it for decades … this is another memory we are making, together :-)

Floor design as soon as you step inside.

Pretty benches right inside the entrance door.

Floor tile-insert by the benches.

Hand painted wall mural; one of many.

Menu; we chose dishes from the Lunch Menu …

Something else new … flavored margaritas.

Our table tile insert.

Holland's choice; Cheese Enchilada & Beef Taco.

Chicken Carnita Dish; I used the flour tortilla that came with this dish, and made a Fajita out of my choice.

I tried that peach-flavored margarita Holland was telling me about last night (he knows I like peach-flavored teas & soda's): it was okay, but I like the regular flavored margarita better.

Holland said I should try a margarita at every  mexican restaurant we eat at. I am an 'obedient wife' ;-)

This spirited beverage is tasty!

Holland did the interior of this fancy restaurant, across the highway; Castle Rock-WA

Then we drove through the Seaquest Park to see if there were any RV spots large enough for our RV, for future considerations; there weren't - all the sites were for much smaller RV's.

I like making all these new memories: memories that are not tinged with the Past - memories that do not make me cry. I never thought I could ever enjoy life again without Bob … but Elohim is a good God, and He is continually blessing my life with joy.

Holland is my new joy.

Holland sees me as 'beautiful', and his love for me gave life to feelings I never expected to ever feel again. Holland's love breathed healing into my broken heart, and covers my life with a garment of praise. Holland is constantly telling me, "our love is a God-thing, Baby" … and it truly is.

I like this new Becoming :-)

Isaiah 61:3

Seaquest State Park; I had never been here before, but Holland had camped here. It's a nice, forested, Park.

Our spirited puppies were finally ready for pick-up around 2:45 … so, we picked them up, paid for the much-needed-service, and drove as far up Spirit Lake Highway as we could (I wanted to see/take pictures of the landslide area).

When we reached this point in the drive, I told Holland this would probably be the last view of Mt. St. Helen's anyone would see, after the recent landslide.

Mt. St. Helens; seen from the Castle Lake Viewpoint. Castle lake in the lower right corner.

Location of Castle Lake~Coldwater Lake, Hummocks Trail, & Johnston Ridge Observatory (this building has been closed to the public for decades - the recent landslide will probably never be cleaned up).

End of the road; if I was by myself, I would have hiked to the landslide area past the gate. But, I am no longer a solo lobo - I have a husband to consider, now.

Location of Gate: across from Hummocks Trail & Coldwater Lake access road~Coldwater Lake from Johnston Ridge Observatory - 8 mins.

I'm not going to be sad leaving WA - this communist state can eat my dust.

We never got to see the landslide, but Holland was a good sport about driving that far without a payoff at the end; he is a good husband for me.

On our way back home, we passed a house with a cute gabled front porch …

The gabled front porch on this house caught my eye …

It looks like a restoration project in the works; Spirit Lake Highway-WA

The weather was perfect, and our spirits vibed with the comfort of oneness we are enjoying in newlywed bliss; the drive was relaxingly enjoyable.

It was a good day :-)

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 :-)

DOUBLE TROUBLE

June 15th: A few weeks ago Bleu was feeling alone … and contrite when we saw him in his newspaper-confetti-filled-kennel; we felt he might feel a little less impish if he had a companion to burn of the P & V with, so we put feelers out.

This morning, we found a candidate :-)

Newest addition to the Family.

His markings are pretty close to Bleu's - and that's what we want; so, Holland called the breeder and made arrangements.

This afternoon, we drove to Camas to bring Sonny home ❤️: he's just as handsome as our first furry son 😁.

And he don't take no dominance crap from Bleu either (he had litter mates he fought with, he doesn't back down) 😉

Sonny was not house broken … he was a little savage, running the farm fields; we quickly started team working - and potty training. Hopefully, he will be house-broken soon.

We bought a 2nd kennel, and placed it in backseat area; next to Bleu's kennel.

Camas has grown - this used to be a 2 lane road, not too long ago.

I got may country drive in, too. LOL

Sonny is 2 weeks younger than Bleu - and a lot bigger, too.

Daddy feeding his boys potato chips; 'for peace sake'.

Blessed sleep; peace at last.

Sonny is not a pure bred Blue Heeler, like Blue: Sonny is a {Texas Heeler}; half Australian Shepherd & half Blue Heeler.

He is two weeks younger than Bleu, but he will outsize Bleu in short order; and they will be good for each other once the pecking order is established.