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Taking the Plunge

I finally did it--today I took the plunge! Well, actually it was more like taking gradual steps toward it, bit by bit, but I finally got over my hesitation and just did it! And, it felt good, just like I knew it would. In fact, it felt very good, and I'm so glad I finally got enough courage to do it.

I don't know why I've waited so long. We've been here for three weeks, and I just haven't been able to bring myself to do it. Every time I've thought about it, something just seemed to hold me back, like perhaps a fear of the unknown. Just the very thought of it seemed to be enough to send chills through me, so I just kept backing away from it.

Maybe it had something to do with the fact that we haven't completed our move here yet. Most of our stuff is still back in Oregon, so life here just hasn't felt fully settled. It's as though I'm still stuck in the day dream of it all, and can't quite break into the reality of living here. Maybe it will be different when our house sells and we move all of our stuff into this house. Right now it's just hard to let go and jump in with both feet.

Yet, this morning when I finally did it, it felt so good that I wondered why I had been so hesitant to do it before now. Every day I knew I should do it, yet every day I just couldn't get up my nerve. Until this morning...I knew it was time, so I finally did it. And, it felt so incredibly good, that tonight after supper I'm going to do it again. But, this time it will truly be a plunge for real--feet first, right off the diving board!

Exploring Dallas

This past weekend we rode the DART train into downtown Dallas. Larry wanted me to experience his daily commute to work, plus start our exploration of his area of town. (Larry's workplace is the brownish colored building near the center of this picture.)

First we headed off to visit the site of JFK's assassination.
I remember it like it happened only yesterday! My first shocking awareness of that tragedy happened while I was at school...

I was in Junior High School, passing between classes on an outside covered, curving walkway that connected paralell wings of the building. A girl ran past me in hysterics, crying and screaming out "Kennedy's just been assassinated!" I was stunned, but thinking, "It can't be true!" When I reached my classroom I realized I wasn't the only one in shock, and hoping the breaking news to be false. Then the announcement came over the PA system and the reality of it sunk in--hard and deep, as an eerie silence settled over the classroom. Everyone, including the teacher, was crying, and class was set aside, as grief invaded the classroom.

Here, on this pleasant parkway, is where it happened.

There's a large, white painted "X" in the street to mark the exact location of the convertible limousine, at the very moment when John F. Kennedy was struck by an assassin's bullet as the presidential motorcade passed through downtown Dallas. If you enlarge the picture you might be able to make out the mark, although it's very slight. Maybe this next picture will help.

Now, on to less noteworthy, but certainly pauseworthy places.

And who could resist stopping here? Well...we didn't order the "live boiled crawfish",
but we did enjoy eating here and watching all the horse drawn carriages pass by.
Next, it was on to the trolley stop for a ride back to the DART station.

This ol' gal "Rosie" is 102 years old, and has been restored back to her original condition, complete with rich bungundy velvet, ornate seats. Sweet!

All in all, it was a nice trip back in time!

She's Gone Country!

Hmmm, which one should I choose? I love this brown one with the pink flowers, but the black and pink paisley one goes better with my hat. Maybe I should get them both.

Thought for Today

"For the Kingdom of God is not just fancy talk;

it is living by God's power." (I Corinthians 4:20 NLT)

Yup, talking is easier than living!

"I want you to fulfill your vows to the Most High." (Psalm 50:14 NLT)

Yikes! Does He mean I must actually follow through on whatever I tell God I will do? (Is there any loophole here?)

Strength for Today

This morning I was reminded that:

It is not our own strength that gives us victory.

It is by God's mighty power that we succeed.

(Psalm 44:3 - New Living Translation)

God is able to make you strong!

(Romans 16:25 - NLT)

YES! I need that reminder daily.

Home Sweet Home

This is where we get our mail now.And, this is where I received eleven new bug bites this morning, in just over an hour of raking the flower beds in this front yard. I had forgotten what that's like--guess I'll have to go back to using bug spray before working in the yard again.

Here's where I get to cool off during the hot Texas summers. Actually, even now for that matter. Our temperatures have been like summer ever since we arrived. Most days are hot and sunny--into the 80's and above 90 the last few days.

This is where we eat (looking out on the pool), and where the meals originate.








Here's where I am sitting right now as I put this blog post together.

Oh, by the way, the empty dining room shown above is where we'll have dinner with you when you come for a visit, and here's the guest bathroom that awaits your arrival.

One last thought:
See those French doors in the room past the fireplace? Those are the same French doors that open onto the pool area. Maybe you should take another look just to remind yourself what you'll be doing while you're here.

Y'all come now, hear?

Quick Update

We found a house to lease and moved in a week ago. We're still in the process of hooking everything up and getting underway with "normal life". Our internet service and TV service is scheduled to be hooked up on Monday, so use of the computer has been limited to time spent at the grocery store or McDonalds, by use of free wi-fi.

Larry is really enjoying his new job, and we are enjoying life in Texas.

I will post more of an update when I have internet service at home.