January 31, 2008

Things Wont Always Stay The Same

Frost Crusted leaf

Again a great post from Robert Rhom. I have a terrible problem with change. My desire to work for myself is borne out of a desire to get settled on a job rather than do the thisplace thing and move from job to job every few months. I have experienced more change than most people but it hasnt gotten any easier for me. I found this writing helpful


Tip: Things won't always stay the same.


This past week, I lost a very dear friend. He was eighty-six years old and had been a close family friend for the past twenty-five years. He and my mother had grown up as childhood friends and renewed their friendship after my father passed away. We had spent nearly every Thanksgiving and Christmas together since 1988. His presence, which had remained a constant in my life until last week, will not be the same any longer.



All of us have had experiences where parents, brothers and sisters, children, loved ones or friends have gone their separate ways. Sometimes people move away and other times they pass away.



No matter what is going on in your life at this moment, it will not remain the same forever. If you are experiencing some good things in your life right now, relish them and enjoy them. Experiencing some of the happy moments in life with your family and friends can be wonderful.



However, you may be going through a difficult time right now. You may be in a job situation that you do not like, or your financial picture may seem very bleak. Just remember, things will not always stay that way. Something will happen to cause a bad situation to get better. You may get a new job opportunity or meet someone who is able to open a door for you that you were not expecting.



When I was in graduate school, I did not think it would ever end! It seemed as though all I ever did was go to the library, read and study. Now as I look back on all of that, it seems like a brief experience. What was once difficult for me is no longer part of my daily life.



When I think about the fact that things will not always be the same, it gives me a great deal of encouragement. That thought helps me to live in the present. I have come to realize that every day of my life is a unique expression of who I am and what is taking place around me. I want to enjoy it to the fullest. Each day is a day that will exist only once and then it will be gone forever.



I was talking to my daughter, Esther, recently and she told me that this thought helps her keep balance and perspective in her own life on a daily basis. I think that is healthy.



The people, events, circumstances and situations currently in your life, whether good or bad, will not last forever. I can assure you, in time, things will change. What you now look at as usual, will one day be unusual and part of the past. What is great for you will one day end. What is difficult for you will one day cease.



Begin today to look at every situation that is taking place in your life as though it will only last for a limited amount of time. Learn what you can from your present set of circumstances and grow in the area in which you are now planted.



It works for me and Esther, and I am sure it will for you as well.



Tip: Things won't always stay the same.



Have a great week! God bless you!







Robert A. Rohm Ph.D.

Labels: Bella Vista, Faith, Quotable Quotes

January 28, 2008

Momma It's Cold Outside

Momma, its cold out here...Annabelle in her satin jacket shivering while out on a much needed walk

It's nearly 1 am and I have fired up the gas log and am huddling in the living room. We have discovered that our nights are much more pleasant if we turn the heat pump off and use a space heater in each of our bedrooms. We also have one in the marble tiled master bath where Annabelle's crate is. We bought new ones with extra safety features and have them situated very carefully to avoid a fire danger... Mak and Nani prefere to sleep with Woody and the smallest of our bedrooms is comfortably warm. The previous owners of our home slept in there in the winter months. The gas log has a system that pulls heat into the house. Smells like a Cummins diesel but it warms the Front part of our house. The Master bedroom never warmed up in winter. The sliding glass door to the enclosed lanai is a cold sink and sucks up heat, The heat pump register is right outside the door and creates a powerful sucking draft that pulls cold air through that room like a nor'easter. To add insult to injury the blessed thing never shuts off and is situated on the master bedroom exterior wall so you hear it all night. So we are trying this experiment of turning the heat pump off at night, and its working. Our electric bills are half of what they were last year...The fire is nice, Makoa is out here with me snoozing on a "purrpad" a fuzzy pad that reflects a cats body heat back up to the sleeping furball or in this case, a meat loaf shaped fur blob. He loves the fireplace. I have some hot cocoa and am enjoying the blissful quiet.

The last two weeks have been so filled with stuff and the stuff of life that I havent had a chance to blog. Woody and I are well but we looked at each other over dinner tonight and "Whew, we need a vacation!" So we are headed for LA next week. We were hoping for warmer weather there but sadly we are watching the news with dismy at the cold and heavy rains that are pounding SoCal. I am praying for sunny days as we have some major outdoor business to take care of while we are there.

In the wake of the storm two weeks ago, we put off some medical tests Woody was to have at the VA. We didnt have power in the house and thought that we might need to go some place to get a room ect... But we had them done this past week. All negative, no cancer no high readings with sugar or colestorol ect. Just lose weight... Im with you, brother...I need to get back on the wagon myself.

But its not just portions and substance I need to get a handle on, its excercise I need and am craving. My foot has healed reasonable well. I dont have a lot of "spring" in it especially by the end of my long day. It has been cold and icy on the walking paths and so I have stayed on the side streets here near the house. Annabelle loves to go walking and is a trooper, will go along quite awhile, then will stop finally and turn and give a little "hop" sort of move that we have taught her to help us pick her up. I will carry her a bit then put her down. The longest we have walked is 3/4 of a mile on the walking track and perhaps a mile total on a sunny afternoon a few weeks ago when we hated to go in the house. But it has been so cold, in the low twenties with the wind blowing that we have forgone the walk in favor of the pee pad which she hates using. She fully preferes the out of doors for that business for which I am glad.

Work has been more difficult over the past few weeks with the reorganization of the office that resulted in nearly everyone having the joy of switching desks. This Chinese fire drill of an operation took place last tuesday and the reverberations are still being felt. No way could everyone be happy and those of us low on the totem pole found ourselves needing to be flexible, ie, the lovely large desk I was assigned was coveted by a manager who had most of her people on that side of the cube so I had to move...and because I had to move my night partner had to move as well. Now she is in a place she doesnt want to be. I know that it will only be a short time and we will have to move again as our account is for sure leaving us March 1. There will be thirteen of us that wont have anything to do at that point. Slowly people are being absorbed into the work force at thisplace, but the apprehension creates such turmoil that you just want it to be over.

We got our Annual bonuses. It was nearly 10% of my annual gross pay, and will make a huge difference as far as the finances for the next stage of my life is concerned. I have been stuffing excess cash into the bank as fast as I can to be prepared for my quitting my job, likely 3-3. This will give them two weeks notice. They dont need to replace me so who knows if they will let me stay the two weeks or what. I am trying not to get too far ahead of God

My mental outlook has gotten quite a bit better the past few weeks. I am asking myself all of the time, "Why am I thrashing about like this? dont you trust God?" I do trust God, I just dont trust my own abilities, my fortitude, and skills. I fear for what might happen while I am gone, but God knows about that too and I need to trust Him and "Woody to do the right things and to care about the situation while I am away

God is making a way for me in this situation. We received a call from our landlord last week. He is a great guy, always thinking. He had a space open up in the building next door to the place where we were going to have our shop. More square footage, more windows, more secure, and more traffic, not much more money. I have had to rework all of my layouts and such, and have all of the contractors out again, but that is ok. I feel very good about the situation, and feel that I am being placed in the perfect spot. So many people have encouraged me to go forward, and my business plan looks good. So what am I afraid of...

The unknown of course...

God is good He is placing me in a good situation. The next few months are going to be so exciting. Thank you God for setting this up like this. Yes its cold, the world that is and I often feel chilled to the bone. I know though that God is able to warm me up through the power of His love. I just need to receive it and hang on for the ride

Labels: Artisans Fine Jewelry Repair, Business start up, Dreams, Faith, working

January 27, 2008

Psalm 15~ Requirements for Holiness

Between Sand and Sky Panama City Beach Fl

A Psalm of David.

O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent?
Who shall dwell on your holy hill?



He who walks blamelessly and does what is right
and speaks truth in his heart;


who does not slander with his tongue
and does no evil to his neighbor,
nor takes up a reproach against his friend;


in whose eyes a vile person is despised,
but who honors those who fear the Lord;
who swears to his own hurt and does not change;


who does not put out his money at interest
and does not take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved.

Labels: Florida, scripture

January 16, 2008

The Near Miss

```
Neighborhood destruction, BellaVista Ar. I was unable to take many photos of the extensive damage as the police asked me not to, "as an effort to stem looting". "Only those holding press cards were allowed into the area."

entry started 1-12-08

"Hoku, look at the NOAA site and check the weather map, you need to get out of there and get home sooner than 0100, there is some very bad weather comming your way"
"History Guy," I said" We have drivers all over the US in trouble the weather is hideous,"
"Trust me, you need to get home. promise me you will leave soon"

History Guy wasnt kidding. He is a history and curent events instructor that works nights and weekends for thisplace. He studies weather as well as Civil War battles... The weather system streaming up from Texas was very powerful and was streaming over Benton County insted of passing above it like it usually does. We had been sighting constant lightning all evening, and steady rain but not heavy.. So my cube mate and I we stayed on and worked, even worked late. There just seemed to be one problem after another... It was 1230 in the morning when I walked out to the parking lot to my van.

The weather had been unusually warm, in the 70's. When the storm kicked up I knew we were in for it. As I pulled out onto the bypass, I could see the curtain cloud with its bright flashing of lightning streaming up from the southwest. Awesome beautiful and terrible all at the same time. I drove home slowly and carefully as the leading edge overtook me and it began to drop soft pea sized hail intermittantly.



more damage on Camden Drive Bella Vista AR. The press, as I have come to find out were not allowed in either and there was little reporting of the damage to our town. There is an investigation into the whole restriction of information collection, and who is behind it and why going on now.

By the time I swung into the town and up Camden Dr. the percipitation had ceased and I saw no damage, just a huge amount of water, streaming down hillside culverts and the Lake Avalon spillway into Tanyard Creek...water flowing so hard I could hear the roar with my windows rolled up. I crossed running water only once and that was at the base of the hill, near where I fell and broke my foot in September. I crossed carefully and made my way up the hill to our little circle and parked my trusty van in the garage. It was 0130

At two I was in bed, The wind was blowing, and I had presence of mind to crack my bedroom window. It faces due north. I got into bed and as i reached for the light swithch, there was a noise like a freight train roaring through. The house went black and I could hear the snapping of tree limbs and felt a change in the air pressure. The lightning was non stop...



The house I was thinking of buying last summer. Ruined. I know that the owner is still trying to sell, but has moved to MO to be near her folks who sold their home next door, also damaged by the wind.

I thought that was it and for the most part it was. We continued to have rain and wind but no more cyclonic bursts like the one at 0220. The next morning was bright sunny and cold. No power, but the gas log sort of took the chill off and Woody and I made plans as to how we were going to handle no hot water... not opening the fridge and thankful that this wasnt summertime. I had a 11 am hair appointment so I got the garage open and drove out not seeing any damage in the immediate area.

By the time I had gone but a block or two I saw why we had no power. These photos were taken less than a 1/4 mile away where a catagory 1 tornado or "straight line wind burst" of over 100mph (the weather people are still not sure what it was)It whatever it was went right over us and hit these folks. Its going to take months to fix up the damage.

LakeAvalon Spillway into Tanyard creek

I went on to the appointment and shot this picture of the Lake Avalon Spillway. The levee has some damage and we have had officials out to look at this. I know that the new city council is really concerned, and I believe that a news blackout was declaired so as to not panic people. The waters have receeded and I have seen shoring crews up there working on the clean up. There was house debreis possibly blocking the waters path diverting it this way, making it look worse than it was.

1-16-08

A week later and there was very little reported locally. Our neighborhood is somewhat back to normal. Our power was restored in 24 hours for which I am grateful. Isnt it amazing how much we take for granted, and how much our lives depend on electricity?

I have lived on earthquake faults, seen my house torn apart by one. Endured flooding,drought and lived on the flank of the worlds most active volcano, Kilauea. I am finding the weather here more and more intimidating, and never take it for granted that "the mountains will protect you" The dry line is just above us and the big storms can hit at any time. I am just glad that the freak tornados of this strange winter missed us, and took no lives as they went through.

Thank you Lord, no one was killed or injured, and that I didnt buy this one!

Labels: Bella Vista, weather

January 13, 2008

Psalm 29~All Creation Worships The Lord

Let the sea roar, blue pacific surf North Shore Oahu

A Psalm of David.

Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the Lord, over many waters.

The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.


The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.

He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf,
and Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.

The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth
and strips the forests bare,
and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.

May the Lord give strength to his people!
May the Lord bless his people with peace!

Labels: Hawaii, scripture

January 09, 2008

New Years Musings

Winter Indigo Dawn

Begun Jan 2 2008

Happy New Year to one and all. I hope that you had a wonderful holiday time with Family and friends.

I am well, better than I have been in a few days. Likely its getting more sleep and finally starting to see, well improvement isnt the word, but my mindset is a touch better.

Christmas was very low key as was New Years. I spent a lot of time in church, both churches. Ther was Mass Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, as well as New Years Eve and New Years Day...There was a Christmas potluck at the Methodist church that we attended insted of trying to cook dinner ourselves, which was quite nice. I had a chance to talk to people that I havent spoken to in a long while.

Woody gave me a work of art for Christmas. I was so impressed. A independent boutique jeweler here in Bentonville has a few peices of the Galatea line, which he was closing out. Woody had seen this work in trade mags and knew it to be unique qnd rare, so he bought a pendent that is very similar to this... mine has a black pearl in the center

Woody and I have been home together for the last four days. We did a few things but mostly hung out, talked and did some work on the business plan. One of the things he and I really hammered out was the financial picture and how the money that is going into the business isnt going to be "paid back" its our investment in our business that we will get back when or if we sell out. Truth is that a big chunk is going towards my education...when do students pay their parents back... slowly if at all. One of the things that ruined the financial picture for our retail store in Hawaii was that we thought that we could incorporate, write a loan to the corporation, and get money out of the store to pay the mortgage. Its dancing with the IRS and very risky business worthy of annual audits. This time I am keeping it simple, sole proprietorship, and the funds are comming out of my share of the equity of our house. Simple tax filings and NO monkeybusiness. Life is too short to mess with the IRS. I pray everyday for its abolition and for a FAIR tax plan If not Rev Mike then someone get up the courage to deal with this horrible tax mess we are in....

Woody has to understand that he will have to keep the ship afloat. If he doesnt want to then we arent doing this. We had a long discussion about it.I wont have any sort of a paycheck for at least a year, likely two. I am weary of the "this is your thing, this is your bill, I will pay half if you pay yours", and borrowing against the future to do what ever.I hate that he thinks this is ok. No argument seems to sway... So, I will borrow to make for a future for myself... What is good for the goose..ect

Actually he said "he had my back and not to worry about it" So I have stopped worrying and will stay stopped. I am five paychecks away from freefall and three months away from leaving to go to Louisville. Whatever happens will happen. He swares that he will have a job in a few weeks. I dont believe it but knock yourself out, my dear, I hope that I am dead wrong!

I am working short weeks in January, as I had two weeks of vacation and PTO of an additional two weeks accumulated. None of this is payable to me at termination of employment. I am using the freedays to take care of things like doctor visits for both Woody and I. Meeting with contractors for the buildout and looking at or for items that are rather esoteric in nature but are essential for our set up (ie I need approx 30 linier feet of glass "sneeze guard" to place between my work area and the public spaces of the workshop. I need to try to find that here in NW Arkansas. ) I am not that needed on my job as we atually have extra people that can fill in for me. I expect when I resign (my boss already knows the day) my checks will be ready and I will be ushered out the door. Im ok with that and all is good

1-9-08 I have not had an internet connection at home due to the terrible weather and the tornado like storm that ripped through our neighborhood tw nights ago. More on that in the next post...

Labels: Artisans Fine Jewelry Repair, Breaking News, Woody, working

January 06, 2008

Isaiah 60~ The Showing

Patterened Skies over Panama City Beach Fl

Isaiah 60

Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will be seen upon you.
And nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your rising.

Lift up your eyes all around, and see;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from afar,
and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.
Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and exult,
because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord.
All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered to you;
the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you;
they shall come up with acceptance on my altar,
and I will beautify my beautiful house.

Who are these that fly like a cloud,
and like doves to their windows?
For the coastlands shall hope for me,
the ships of Tarshish first,
to bring your children from afar,
their silver and gold with them,
for the name of the Lord your God,
and for the Holy One of Israel,
because he has made you beautiful.

Foreigners shall build up your walls,
and their kings shall minister to you;
for in my wrath I struck you,
but in my favor I have had mercy on you.
Your gates shall be open continually;
day and night they shall not be shut,
that people may bring to you the wealth of the nations,
with their kings led in procession.
For the nation and kingdom
that will not serve you shall perish;
those nations shall be utterly laid waste.
The glory of Lebanon shall come to you,
the cypress, the plane, and the pine,
to beautify the place of my sanctuary,
and I will make the place of my feet glorious.
The sons of those who afflicted you
shall come bending low to you,
and all who despised you
shall bow down at your feet;
they shall call you the City of the Lord,
the Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

Whereas you have been forsaken and hated,
with no one passing through,
I will make you majestic forever,
a joy from age to age.
You shall suck the milk of nations;
you shall nurse at the breast of kings;
and you shall know that I, the Lord, am your Savior
and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

Instead of bronze I will bring gold,
and instead of iron I will bring silver;
instead of wood, bronze,
instead of stones, iron.
I will make your overseers peace
and your taskmasters righteousness.
Violence shall no more be heard in your land,
devastation or destruction within your borders;
you shall call your walls Salvation,
and your gates Praise.

The sun shall be no more
your light by day,
nor for brightness shall the moon
give you light;
but the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.
Your sun shall no more go down,
nor your moon withdraw itself;
for the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your days of mourning shall be ended.
Your people shall all be righteous;
they shall possess the land forever,
the branch of my planting, the work of my hands,
that I might be glorified.
the least one shall become a clan,
and the smallest one a mighty nation;
I am the Lord;
in its time I will hasten it.

Labels: Scenic Arkansas, scripture