The Facelift

Here I am . . . late at night with too many windows open trying to freshen the look of this blog. Think I'm gonna have to call it a night! To the land of nod I go -- flustered, however, as the perfectionistic person in me is just not satisfied to leave this "in process" format for the night. I'm excited with the changes in the width of the columns, as well as the banner across the top that have been made . . . I've searched long and hard at how to accomplish this new look! Changes become a bit of a problem for me, since the "sky's the limit with possibilities" in doing adjustments and perks to this here spot in which I get comfortable!!

Hopefully, I'll be back here tomorrow sometime to finish up this "facelift". It's gonna be a busy day, though, with my five students, plus a friend's daughter stopping by for some interview help. Maybe I'll get a trip post up . . . those are terribly behind as I've shifted my efforts to getting school off and running. If only I had a couple more brains, sets of eyes, and a few more hands . . . just think of what I could do!! But, I don't!

Here's one very powerful truth to dwell on today. Theresa at Being Refined as Silver shared this on her blog. Thank you, Theresa, for allowing the Lord to work through you. I was in tears as I listened over and over again being enveloped by the Lord. Truly, Jesus paid it all . . . for you and me!

By the way, if you're going to click on this song and worship (which I so hope you'll do), scroll down to the bottom of my blog and put my song play on pause so there's no interruption.

Our Trip of a Lifetime ~ Day 3

Friday, April 30, 2010


We arose today rested! Goofed around a bit on Facebook and the Internet, ate breakfast in the “rig”, got freshened up and headed back out on the road to conquer the rest of the desert. The weather was still windy; however, the intensity seemed to have waned some. Wonder how this wind compares to that of the same travels in a car . . . this feels like a massive earthquake that doesn’t stop!



Today, there were great aspirations of “making up” what we’d lost in miles. With that thought in mind, we headed out to accomplish the rest of New Mexico, the top of Texas, all of Oklahoma, and settle in for the night in Arkansas. Just about instantly upon entering Texas, the scenery changed dramatically . . . there was green on the ground! We hadn’t seen green since leaving home. The natural beauty of this section of Texas was invigorating!




Next state . . . Oklahoma! We pulled off at the Cherokee Trading Post, wandering and stretching our cramped bodies. At this stop, the boys became the proud owners of authentic Indian arrows. Much thought and decision went into picking just the right one! After a quick pic in front of the rustic old wagon parked near the parking lot, we headed for Oklahoma City. Tonight’s dinner was to be at the Cattleman’s Café – a restaurant found by Jacob in the book Roadfood. Two cowboys with their horses and buggy greeted us to “drive” us to the front of the restaurant! Hannah especially enjoyed the “ride”, starting off with petting the pretty brown and white pony. This much anticipated steak dinner from the heart of beef country, provided a mouth-watering steak, but not much else. Without our ten-gallon hats and spurs, we were obviously “out of place” here! Perhaps we looked too Californian!


We continued on Interstate 40 pressing on toward Arkansas . . . what would be our fourth state for the day! Finally, some progress was being made. With the peddle to the metal (well, as much as it could be in this albatross), we rolled into Ft. Smith, Arkansas about 1:00 a.m. Knowing that David and Nancy (a.k.a. “Mother Nut”) were in Fayetteville for a few days, we pushed hard for one more hour, finding ourselves parked in the local Fayetteville Wal-Mart parking lot for the night.

Wal-Mart was offering just the right price for lodging this night . . . FREE!

Our Trip of a Lifetime ~ Day 2

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Opening our eyes this morning, we were reminded us of the rather unusual “camping” experience we had last night. Pressing toward our Gallup, New Mexico goal, we were diverted in Winona, Arizona at Buffalo Range Road. For miles and miles and miles, we had seen diesels and other vehicles parked along the side of the road. Signage warned of a severe dust storm near Winslow. The Master Maneuverer, wanting to push as far possible, met up with patrol officers as they waved us off the road. Having pushed so far along, there wasn’t any place to stop except to go back on the other side of the freeway. But, we were blessed! This officer had pity and let us park off behind some cones and stay there. So, here we were in the literal middle of nowhere, parked off the side of the freeway, amongst thousands of other people, WITH trooper protection! Quite tolerable, except for one thing . . . 50-60 mile an hour winds. While we were safe from intruders, the ferocious winds were now of concern. We settled, all with their heads on pillows . . . for a while. The wind was becoming so bad that at 1:40 in the morning, “the MM” bore the chilly elements to relocate the rig in a more aerodynamic position. It was somewhat beneficial and soon all were snoozin’!

Presently, we sit, parked in the middle of Interstate 40 somewhere past Gallup, near the city of Rehoboth, New Mexico. For nearly an hour now, we have crept about four miles. The trucker next to us said our delay is the cause of road construction. The MM’s detailed map schedule is hurting . . . thanks in part to me and our late departure from the house, the dust storm and closed freeway, and now road construction. We’re rollin’ with it all . . . looking forward to lunch at Cracker Barrel in Albuquerque.

**11:45 a.m. Update: We’re moving, open road ahead . . . we may see lunch afterall! One hour of “road construction” turned out to be three troublesome big-rigs. “On the road again . . . “






Cancel that, we’re stopped again. Will we see Oklahoma City tonight?

**1:10 p.m. Update: Still crawling. Not really lovin’ New Mexico.

The “lunch” we planned at Cracker Barrel turned into an early dinner. It was a yummy bit of nourishment! After stretching our legs some, we headed out to bare the elements yet again . . . that of the incredibly intense wind. The MM’s hands were about frozen in place after two days of “white knuckling” it across the desert. The rather sad element of this day was the coming short of our goal. In utter exhaustion, this band of weary travelers pulled into the Tucumcari KOA (Kampgrounds of America) about 11:00 p.m. for the night. While the MM checked in, I got to “chat” with our dear friend, Denise, about our travels to this point.



Ahh, looking forward to quiet, non-jarring sleep . . . .