Korea, here I come...

or not....

I made it 451 air miles. Then came to a screeching halt. Our flight out of Eugene was delayed almost 3 hours, arriving in San Fran with less than 25 minutes to board our connecting flight to Inchon, S Korea - at the other end of the airport. One of my companions, Pat, and her daughter made the flight. Angie waited for me, I couldn't walk as fast, and they literally closed the doors on our noses. Angie got there about 30 seconds before I did, and watched the woman close the door at the entrance to the ramp. They refused to let us on!

So, we're staying in San Fran tonight to catch the flight out tomorrow. United only has 1 flight from San Fran to Korea daily. Although I appreciate the chance to shower and rest up, I'm losing a day of sight-seeing in Seoul! We were able to claim our luggage here, so at least we can change clothes and relax a bit. Pat's luggage didn't make the flight so it's arrive when we do on Saturday. I plan on telling her that we decided to escort her luggage for her, make sure it got to Korea, that's why we missed the flight.

I feel bad that Angie had to wait for me and missed the flight, but then she told me of her flight to Bulgaria last year. She was traveling with another novice traveler, like me, and had separated in the Amsterdam airport to do some shopping, agreeing to meet at the gate. Angie fell asleep in the waiting area and missed her flight. Her companion went on without her, thinking she was already on the plane. I feel a little better now. I also feel very fortunate to be traveling with Angie, she's really nice, and has a good sense of humor.

Well, these are the events that make for good stories. So, on to Korea! (tomorrow)

And I'm OFF!....

But you already knew that, didn't you?

I leave for Seoul, Korea, on Thursday. I've never been overseas; in fact, I haven't flown in 24 years. I'm not really nervous about flying, although I am a bit claustrophobic. It's just very strange knowing that I'm going to another country, another continent, another hemisphere.

Wish me luck, a smooth flight, and decent weather. I'll try to blog while I'm over there, including photos. If I'm not too exhausted, that is!

I wish I'd known you better

Today I attended the memorial service for one of my co-workers, John Aeby. He devoted the last 30 years of his life to serving children through his countless videos, publications, and stories for Holt International. He died too soon, too young, and I regret not having known him better. He was a quiet, kind, talented, gentle man, who always greeted me by name with a smile. He lived for his family, he worked for the children, he celebrated life every single day, often times in some of the worst places on this Earth. He never lost his faith or his love for everyone he knew.

Four years wasn't long enough, I wish I'd known you better, John. You are missed.

Don't sweat the little things - savor them!

Looking at the big picture is always important, in any situation. But sometimes you have to look at the little things to know when something is truly worthwhile.

So what are the little things? Today it’s planting tomatoes, peppers, and flowers. Yesterday it was moving the car seat forward one notch and not having the steering wheel rub my belly. Last week it was tying my shoes – by myself, and without pain. Maybe tomorrow it will be buying a new blouse in a smaller size.

These may seems inconsequential to most, but to someone who gave up hope of ever leading a normal life again, the little things make life worth living. What do you take for granted every day? Playing on the floor with your kids, walking down a store aisle, sitting in a park swing, shopping at the mall.

These are all things I’m looking forward to, if not tomorrow, then very soon. And I don’t ever want to take anything for granted. Do you?

Hard to Stay Positive

Today we found out that Monaco has not been paying the insurance premiums as they said they would, so my husband no longer has insurance coverage. We now have to pay for his new crown, his doctor appointment, and all of his medications. Adding him to my insurance would reduce my take-home pay by over 25%. I feel the need to swear again.

I appreciate all the prayers from our family and friends, but I'm finding it hard to stay positive. I'm swamped at work, stressed out, and not feeling well. I don't have anymore time off, but I still felt bad enough to leave work early today. I'll have to go in this weekend to make up some of the time, and stay late next week. Not the end of the world, and I actually get more done when no one else is there, so I don't really mind. I just worry I'm going to set off Holt's security alarm! That's so embarrassing.

I'm sorry I'm not more uplifting or humorous tonight. Maybe next week will be better. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Good news, bad news

The good news is that my surgery went very well, my recuperation has been mostly smooth sailing, and I'm now back to work full time. I'm tired, and having a tough time getting used to the changes in my diet and energy, but all in all, I'm good.

The bad news is that my husband received his pink slip today. He's been on "temporary layoff" for three months now. We thought he'd be going back to work within the next couple of weeks, but he got the letter today terminating him. The company is closing the local plants and have terminated virtually everyone. We cried, we swore, we got really depressed. Now we move on.

Easier said than done, considering our income has been reduced and my husband is severely depressed. Our son is trying to raise enough money to go on the 3+ week trip to Germany in June, and not having very good luck. He even took a job as a dog walker to make some money. It's not easy for a 14-15 yr old to earn money in a city, especially with the current economy. He's been selling cookie dough, Tupperware, approaching local businesses to recruit sponsors. I'm proud of him, and really wish we could afford to send him on such a wonderful trip. Student exchange programs are very cool.

It's scary, no one is accepting applications anywhere in town. We have a small savings and will find a way to manage. My company will not be giving pay raises this year, and my part time work has been cut back.

On the bright side, I was able to do some painting while I was laid up, and turned out a few really nice works. Here are a couple of them. The fairy is a from a drawing a friend did - she's an amazing portrait artist, in pencil. I can't draw people to save my life. We've wanted to collaborate but never did anything about it. I think we should, don't you?

Well, that's all for now. I'll check back in again soon.

12 hours and counting...

My surgery is scheduled for 10:10am; just slightly over 12 hours from now. Yes, I'm nervous, excited, scared, worried, happy, and surprised that the time has actually come. It's one of those things you spend a long time hoping for and working towards, but deep down inside you don't think it's really going to happen.

Oye. It's going to happen.

Please, no visitors in the hospital without asking Fred. When I'm sick and hurting, my hubby is my favorite person. And I hate it when people see me with my hair standing straight up, wearing those lovely hospital gowns, and zoned out on pain meds. Wait until I'm home so I can greet you with my hair standing straight up, wearing an old flannel nightie, and zoned out on pain meds. Hmmmm....

I'll update as soon as I can!