He's Home

Watching the passengers disembark yesterday at the airport was a lesson in patience.  They just seemed to trickle out.  When I finally saw him, he waved, and we both definitely made special eye contact.  I know it had only been a little over two weeks, but we hugged like it had been forever.  We chatted with a friend who had also been on strike duty while we waited for the luggage.  She had the same feeling that it had been such a long time since she had been home.  I think it must be the uncertainty of the situation that makes it so difficult.  We grabbed the luggage from the conveyor and headed out the parking garage.  A little more patience was required on Hubby's part, because even though I had made a point to look at the location signs, I couldn't walk directly to the car.  It was hot.  He had just carried his luggage up two flights of stairs.  (I'm sure that's why it's called luggage... you have to lug it around.)  He was soooo patient.  The problem was that during the construction...(every road and alley in Texas is under construction right now!)...I couldn't enter the parking garage where I normally would.  The car was actually where I thought it was.  Unfortunately we now had to go down a level.  It was right there.  Did I mention that he was lugging stuff?  Did I also tell you it was HOT?  Poor guy.  He really did try not to give me that look.  "Try" being that operative word.  

On to rush hour.  Oh, I didn't mention that his flight landed at 5:17pm?  It did.  He's driving, and I'm trying not to freak out.  I have what one friend refers to as HSS.  Hyper-Startle Syndrome.  Since I retired I seem to be more sensitive to the fact that the guy in the car in front of us slams on his brakes at the last possible moment and the gal who is in the car three feet behind us is going 150 mph while texting.  It's worse when someone else is driving.  I have control issues.  Sometimes it's just better to close my eyes or do  pretty much anything else except look out the front window.  

We had planned to have dinner at this little Italian place that is close to home.  It's small, it's dark, it's quiet, the food's good.  It's a great place to relax and just enjoy being together.  There's smoke in the air.  Wait...smoke?  Just a few miles from the restaurant we come to the realization that rush hour seems to have never let up.  It has in fact gotten worse.  We are not moving.  Maybe we should turn on the radio and see what is going on.  We were still not really going very far, but we were at least busy.  There were several news stations to check with, Facebook, texting and couple of phone calls to make. A jet fuel tanker had exploded when it collided with a Jeep.  Amazingly no-one was hurt!! Unfortunately, it looked like dinner was going to have to be plan B.  

Happily we discovered that we could still make it to our original destination and make our way home using an alternate route.  Dinner was shared with family in Illinois via text.  They were at dinner too.  We finally made it home, and after a little unpacking and a call to Hubby's family we collapsed into bed early.  Really early.  We were both asleep before ten.  Normalcy is good.

Gratitude for:

- Hubby's home

- Hubby's home

- Did I mention - Hubby's home!

Strike 13

I started writing this morning with the following: The company was able to get an injunction that requires the picketers to stay behind a barracade and keep a clear pathway to the door of the office now, so life is a little easier.  That makes both Hubby and I happy.  One victory in the courts!

How quickly life can change.......Thirteen must be a lucky number - all that hogwash about it being unlucky....who started that rumor in the first place??  The union announced that it will begin working without a contract on Monday.  Hubby has a ticket to fly home on Tuesday!!  YIPPEE....  Granted, since they are working without a contract, we could be back in the same situation again later in September, but he has a real ticket home....I'll snatch up that piece of good news and do the happy dance!

Blessings of
- texting!  It took me awhile to start, but now I'm a texting diva!!
- promises of homecomings!!
- A clean house (mostly)
-Time to read.

Strike 12

Despite my real desire to sleep in this morning, I had to pull myself out of bed because the exterminator was arriving at 8:30.  Rather than push it, I set the alarm fairly early so I could either push the snooze button a couple of times, or actually get up and pick some stuff up in advance.  I did neither of those things.  I hopped into the shower - well, maybe slunk is a better term - while the coffee was brewing and got dressed.  I think God was looking out for me because the guy rang the doorbell at 7:45!!  Good grief.....not to worry, I was nice!

Hubby has been soooo good about sending me an early morning text so that we can start our days together. It's so nice to have that contact and I look forward to it every day.  Today is payday and he actually got his first week of overtime put in it so it looks really good.  We are going to use it to pay for a trip we have planned so it's only temporary, but boy does it look nice now!

The kids took me out for dinner to the Mexican place Hubby and I normally haunt every Friday night.  It was really good to get out and have someone to talk to for awhile besides the cat!  After dinner we even went to DQ for a treat.  It was a great night.  Thanks a bunch!

Hubby and I had a brief visit tonight.  He got back in late tonight after a group dinner so he was tired. There are about 40 people there working from Steve's group. He was also concerned because he had talked to his mother before he called me. She is worried about his dad and just generally not coping well.  He is sad that he can't be there as planned to help her both physically and emotionally.  These are trying times for the whole family.  People don't realize how much the sacrifice of a strike ripples through so many people.

Gratitude for:
- the love of family that binds through time, distance, and trials
- Ice Cream!!
- exterminators to keep the critters away

Strike 11

Wellllll.......It looks like this strike thing is going to last awhile.  One of the "Big Wigs" is coming to visit Hubby's group of not-so-merry men (and women) tomorrow, and taking them out for a drink after work.  Steve actually knows this guy fairly well, so he is looking forward to some face time.  After receiving the news concerning their loss of health benefits at the end of the month, the union has stepped up their picketing form and language again.  I'm not quite sure what candlelight vigils at the CEO's home will accomplish either.

Hubby has talked to his parents today, and was told that the surgery went very well.  The Dr. told them that his father's knee was in pretty bad shape - like that was news!  Do people who have good knees get them replaced??  Speaking of surgeries....I spent the day today with a good friend who was having a liver biopsy.  She did amazing!  I would have been a less relaxed patient.  Well, maybe not, they did give her some valium.  She asked for a take-out container, but they wouldn't give her more.  Too bad.  Since she is diabetic she let me have her cheesecake though!  Now, that's a good friend!!

Blessings of:
- Successful surgeries
- reliable alarm clocks - even though I sleep with one eye open because I don't quite trust it! I have issues.
- My kindle....games and a variety of books at my fingertips!

Strike 10

WOW.... Really?....10 days! Technically speaking, it has actually been 11.  The strike really started on Sunday, August 7th, but we spent part of the day just preparing so I haven't been counting that one.

After a morning conversation with Hubby that included the comment about having to change a haircut appointment, I volunteered to go make the appropriate scheduling.  We really like where we go for such things, but of course they are Vietnamese, making conversation over the phone sometimes challenging.  They have really good english skills (Amazingly so - I'm not sure I would be able to be so fluent if the circumstances  were reversed!  Correction - I'm sure I would never be able to speak Vietnamese with much accuracy, but I AM sure that I would provide ample amusement.) but with their accents and my hearing loss......it's just better to do it in person!  And, after all, I did need a pedicure!

Hubby enjoyed his day off....and his laundry is clean!  He broke down and paid the big bucks to get most of it done.  It was totally worth it.  He's doing the best he can under the circumstances.  He walked around a little this afternoon, just to stretch his legs and also to pick up some stuff he needed but hasn't had the time to shop for.  His father is having surgery tomorrow, and he was supposed to be there to help his mother.  He's feeling pretty bad about not being able to be there, but it can't be helped. While it won't be near what he would be able to do if he wasn't working the strike, he has made alternate plans to travel there when it is over.  He's really hoping the picketers aren't abusive tomorrow because he is going to be starting the day off in a bad mood anyway.  Please add his parents to your prayer lists too!!

Gratitude for:
-Doctors and advanced technology and the miraculous procedures that they can do!
-Belief that God can answer prayers and comfort that He will be there even when we can't.
-Relaxing moments and pedicures.

Strike 9

Thanks to a young man who is a friend of ours, we got our yard mowed today.  It was soooooo needing it! I know it was not his idea of how to spend a hot summer morning, and I think he was somewhat under parental coercion, but I'm still thankful.  Our son offered to mow it for us, but he and his wife lead busy lives and he deserves to have some time without doing chores for Mom.  Besides, if our son mowed, he wouldn't be able to do it until it's over 100 degrees out there.  This young man is unemployed at the moment so I thought he might enjoy having a few bucks in his pocket!!  Having the yard mowed even inspired me to get out there for a brief while and pull some weeds.  I wasn't out there too long, but every little bit helps!  After my Daughter-in-law's report of a possible snake sighting a couple of weeks ago, I definitely had my radar up.  It would have been pretty comical to watch me......one time a dry leaf fluttered away when I tugged on a vine and I jumped.  I'm pretty sure there may have been some squealing too, but you know the saying - "If a woman squeals in a flowerbed and no-one is there listening, does it really happen?"

I spent this afternoon in my sewing room.  I've been so busy, I haven't taken the time to do much sewing lately.  I started on Esther Aliu's newest project "Peaceful Pathways."  I'm determined to keep up.  I always have good intentions, but they all seem to fall away before the project is finished.  Maybe by sharing here, I will hold myself accountable until it is finished!

Tomorrow is Hubby's first day off since the strike began.  I doubt he will do much of anything, but he is looking forward to a leisurely morning including a trip to Starbucks.  There is a plan, and tickets purchased, for a quick trip home in the future so I think we are both feeling better.  At least now we have a date to look forward to if the strike is not settled before.  Looking at the news on the internet, it doesn't look hopeful that it will end soon.  He tells me the picketers have settled down for the time being.  It's a relief that they aren't being so abusive, but we also are aware that it could flare up at any moment.  Keep up the prayers.

Gratitude for:
- a mowed lawn
- no snake sightings
- a day off for Hubby
- time to sew!

Strike 8

I might have to stop numbering these days.  I'm starting to find it somewhat depressing and annoying.  Each time I talk to Hubby we discuss provisions that have been made by the company and by us personally that indicate that the expectation is that this could go on for quite some time.  There are now reservations that need to be cancelled and appointments that have to be postponed.  There is a glitch in his coming home plans, but hopefully they can be resolved.  This morning he told me he had "great" news......I found it somewhat disappointing.  He is getting a "raise" of sorts for his duty.  As much as I find this good news, I made the point that the only "great" news is that it is over and he is coming home.  Izzy keeps guard at the bedroom door every night waiting for him.  OK....enough of the pity party....after all, I really have so little to complain about!!  He has come to terms with his laundry situation.  I'm sure that his co-workers are happy that he will have clean clothes.  He is looking forward to a day off on Wednesday.  One of his co-workers (a guy) has the day off too.  I hope they find something enjoyable and relaxing to do.  They certainly deserve it!!

Today I got my car inspected and did a little shopping. It was good to be out running errands.  I enjoyed a nice dinner with a friend tonight too.  I feel a little energized again, and ready to tackle some of the things I need to finish this week.......and of course there are a couple of sewing projects I want to work on.  That always makes me happy!

Gratitude for:
- Sales!  Hubby has new work clothes!
- My car passed inspection
- All things fabric......(hint of more to come in the future)

Strike 7

It's the little things that I am finding hard to get used to.  The cat visits me every afternoon, paws on my arm, and gives me the "Seriously, I need to be fed" look.  Yesterday I noticed her sitting by her bowls.  Just sitting......staring intently.....then it hits me that her water bowl is completely void.  Poor Izzy.

Last night I discovered that I was completely ignorant of how to set the new alarm clock.  I set it, but also set the clock on my phone just in case.  This morning I had to figure out how to turn it off.  I realized that I was making it waaaay too complicated.  Just turn the dial on the face to "off" - well DUH!

As I was driving home after lunch with friends, I saw that I need to get my car inspected.  I know I still have a couple of weeks left in the month, but I also know that the procrastinators will make the wait longer as the month draws to a close.  Car inspection is now first on my to-do list for tomorrow - right after filling it up with gas!

Hubby just called.  It's supposed to rain hard tonight and tomorrow.  Should make a drenching trip to the office when you have to walk for several blocks!  He also said that the union workers are getting a not so pleasant letter tomorrow from the parent company.  They are starting to put on more pressure.  I'm not sure whether that will speed up the process, or make things worse!  Only time will tell.

 A quote for today: "You cannot touch the clouds, but you feel the rain...You cannot touch love either; but you feel the sweetness that it pours into everything."  Anne Sullivan Macy

Thanks for your love!! - My special blessing.

More Blessings
- The freedom to worship without persecution.
- Kids remembering to check on Mom....Love you!
- Real food! (vs. microwave and sandwiches) and lunch with good friends.

Strike 6

Well, this isn't something we've seen in a very long time.

Between the rain and sleeping soundly until almost 9 o'clock this morning, I feel so much better today.  I'm also feeling better about my meds.  I'm not so "druggy" today, and I think I am actually starting to feel better.  At least I'm on the right track!!  I spent some time pulling weeds and trimming up some wild limbs.  It felt good to be outside if only briefly.  I called a neighbor and asked if they had a "loan-a-spouse" program. They came over and carted the limbs to the brush pile in the back for me.  After today's temps staying in the the 80's, we are headed back to the 100's.  The rain barrel is full again, so my plants can continue to be happy and thriving!

Hubby spent today learning some tools of his new trade!  (See you can teach an old dog new tricks.)  He is happier now that he is busier.  It seems that he is getting into some sort of routine.  Tonight is the great laundry experiment.  He is trying to figure out what he can actually wash with some success in his room, and what he really must send out.  It's just too expensive to send it all.  Soooo....more tricks for the old dog to learn!

Gratitude for
- RAIN!!! and cooler temperatures so I could be outside for awhile.
- Great neighbors who come to the rescue....again.
- Warm showers and Sonic Drive In for dinner
- People who call  to check on me.  I Love You!

Strike 5

To answer some questions: Yes, the building you see in the news is the building he is working at.  I've looked to see if I can get a glimpse of him, but I'm actually kind of relieved when I don't.  Yes, he got moved to a different hotel.  It's a small room, but he says he's not there much, so it's okay.  He was told today to extend his hotel reservation until September 15th.  Ohhhh, I so want it to end before then! **sigh** He will begin training tomorrow on some additional responsibilities.  He is happy about that because he will be busier. Beginning next week, he will get one day a week off.  He will find out tomorrow when he gets a few days to actually come home.

I am torn between wanting to know everything that is happening in the strike, and not wanting to know anything. Honestly, it scares me.  I can't imagine being in Hubby and Co. shoes walking through a picket line and being pummeled with such harassment every day.  I can't imagine going home without a paycheck when my kids are starting school soon either. Unfortunately, the union people are just adding to their personal debt as the days pass.  Knowing that the Big Executives have the income they do while there are so many people struggling has always bothered me.  (That's another soap box.) However, what the union is asking for is, in my mind, unreasonable in today's society.  The changes to their contracts that are keeping them from signing is what we have been living with for a considerable amount of time already.  There is no perfect answer....we don't live in a perfect world.  There are thousands of people making sacrifices on both sides and beyond.  Vandalism only makes the matter worse, and causes the company more unnecessary expense.  It sounds like it's only going to get worse, and it's going to last a long time.  Please pray for all people who are caught in this ugly mess - the negotiators, the management, and the unions.

As for me, I can always keep busy.  The hardest part for me is being by myself almost exclusively.... and also food.  I've never been one to go out to eat by myself, but I'm going to get tired of mac and cheese, cereal, and p-b-j very soon.  If I could work in the yard, or even go out and read in the hammock, it would be better.  It's just too HOT!  But, never fear, I'm good.  It could be sooooo much worse.

Today I finished a peg holder.  (I just like that terminology better than "clothespin.")  I made it out of an ice cream container I found among my plastic containers when I cleaned out the cupboard yesterday. (Yes, I'm going to have the cleanest house in the state before this is over!)  Before:

After:

Gratitude for:
- The possibilities of rain!
- Finishing up some UFOs (Unfinished Objects in crafty lingo)
- My kids are home from vacation safe and sound! (well, mostly sound - 3 kids in a car, one of them ill - "sound" may be stretching it a bit!)

Strike 4

I started off today in my usual routine....turn on the computer, make coffee, log in to let my computer finish awakening, shower, fetch coffee, ahhhh.  Well, almost.  I did the first three and decided to get my coffee before taking my shower and stay in my jammies a little while longer.  Padding out to the kitchen in my bare feet, I quickly realized that I had been absent minded enough to forget to put the cup under the spout.  It was a very wet way to start the morning! UGHH

Last night I was thinking a little ahead, and put the garbage out at the curb.  About half-way through I could feel something on my leg and discovered a nice trickle of blood down my calf - maybe a wee more than a trickle.....  I carefully made my way to the neighbor's house where they helped me clean it up and bandage it.  They just gave me that "not again" look.  This has happened before - always when Hubby is unavailable!  At least this time it didn't mean a post-clean-up trip to the ER for stitches.  I'm making progress!  There's just something about this red check mark that looks vaguely familiar.........I'm thinking it's a strike souvenir.

Hubby and Co. are switching from their current residence to a ......Ummm..... place that offers more value.  There is the added advantage that internet access will now be free.  I asked about laundry, and his answer was less than satisfactory.  He is probably going to be doing his own laundry in the tub.  Now, I'm not saying he can't do it, but I think it could be an interesting experience.  I told him that while he is checking out the new digs to look for a washer and dryer.  Ohhhhh there are soooooo many things to look forward to!!

Gratitude for
- Good neighbors who have Red Cross skills
- Much needed early morning love notes from Hubby
- We missed the rain today, but at there were a few minutes with breezes of cooler temperatures.  I even went outside for the event!

OK.....talked to Hubby tonight, and it sounds like this could go on for awhile!  Things are heating up.  Just as they are getting into some sort of routine, they have been requested to look into changing hotels. They are not happy campers.  Overtime starts tomorrow, so there is a bright side.

My Daughter-In-Law came over today to give me some company.  Thank You Very Much!  We sorted through stuff at our neighbors house that will be going on the market soon.  We each found a few things (OK...maybe a little more than a few) that will be finding new homes. We took time to have a quiet (and interesting people watching) lunch at a place that specializes in cupcakes.  Yes, we had to have one...but we shared just one.  We were good.  It was really hot dragging things around, so I am really appreciating the air-conditioning tonight!  Better yet, it seems that there is a growing possibility of rain and temps below 100 ..... at least some meager hope!  I discovered a significant hole in the flowerbed by the garage this evening.  I'm thinking maybe an armadillo??  I going to wait until tomorrow to decide what to do with it.  Maybe I will recruit a stronger (i.e. braver) person to come help! Hmmmmmm....

Gratitude for

- Dad is wearing his Life Line, and actually is enjoying his support socks!!

- Visits from my Kids

- Good books

- Staying up late and watching TV.....(oh....I feel so grown-up! LOL)

Strike 2

Listening to Hubby tell me about the rain almost made me want to hop on a plane east!  He did inform me that the rain only served to make it more muggy, so I guess I'll just keep hanging out here. *sigh*  They managed to get food delivered today.  That was the good news.  The bad news?  An executive came for a visit today, and pretty much hinted that the strike could go on for awhile.  Of course, no one really knows how long.  It's all pure speculation.  Hubby has a self-imposed schedule of  internet access during his stay.  The hotel charges them $12.00 a day for access, so that adds up pretty fast.  Thank goodness they can't charge for cell phone calls, because I've now talked to him 3 times today.

I had a dinner engagement with some of my friends tonight.  I will start my blessings by being grateful for friends to share the good, the bad, and the truly ugly with.  We had a little of all three tonight.  We were totally entertained by a little girl who will be 1 year old later this month. What a cutie!  We also enjoyed sharing some about our childhoods.  Turns out that three of us were originally from Illinois!  The ugly was when one of our group shared that her husband had left because he is having an affair.  She has two little girls.  Sometimes life is just sad.  At least she knows she can count on each one of us.

I saw another SWAT team action today.  What is going on around here??  Tonight I heard that they are filming a movie in the area, so maybe they were just part of the movie.  Whether or not it's true, I can always pretend!

Blessings for
- Dinner and Dissing with good friends
- The ironing is done!  (at least for a little while)
- T'is the season for fresh fruit!

Strike 1

Yesterday was a disconcerting day in our house.  Waking up to find out that my hubby has to do strike duty put both of us in crisis mode.  He tried to check in for his flight early because the flights had been over sold and so he did not have a seat assignment.  He quickly found out that he could not check in over the phone or online.  Whoever made that decision needs another job!  After quickly packing, we headed to the airport so he could check in for his 5:40 flight.  He had made some calls to friends who fly frequently (one of them a Captain for American Airlines) and was given two different answers about whether he would be able to check in his luggage and then leave for a while.  Hmmmm.....who to believe?  Fortunately he was able to check his luggage, and procure a seat on an exit row for a little more leg room.

We were able to make it to church in time, and have a leasurely lunch with friends.  Hubby was pretty wound!  He has never had to work strike duty before, so he was apprehensive about the world he was heading into. I don't think anyone at our table has ever heard him talk so much!

Unfortunately, his flight was delayed for an hour so his long day ended up being even longer.  There were several people he knew on his flight so at least he someone to talk to.  He called me about 11 pm EST to tell me that his flight was on the ground.  So now he's exhausted as well as anxious!

I talked to him a little while ago, and was surprised to hear him sounding rather chipper!  It was a long day, but he said that getting into and out of the office wasn't nearly as difficult as he expected.  He did hear that at another office one of the workers got punched in the mouth! OUCH...Glad THAT wasn't him!  They had police monitoring the site, so that helped a lot.  The worst was that they didn't have any food until late afternoon.  They work 7 am to 7 pm, so they were all very hungry.  I guess food was ordered, but the vendors won't cross the picket line so they don't get it.  Seriously, do they expect them to work 12 hours without food?  The crew is planning a trip to a 7/11 to pick up some snacks for tomorrow.   Please add everyone to your prayer list. It sounds like they are going to be there a while!

Gratitude for
- Hubby is with friends
- Police presence
- A monitored security system on my house, and a security guard next door!
- Cell phones!