And here it is

Make a Smilebox slideshow

A Boost to My Soul

What an amazing journey! Robin and I arrived home last night absolutely ready to NEVER see the inside of the car again. While sitting around the firepit with a glass of wine we reflected back over our trip with satisfaction...we did what we had intended to do. When we arrived in Pueblo and pulled up to the drive-through window, the look of absolute shock and disbelief on Chrissy's face was worth every rotten mile in that car. Her apartment is in a really awful neighborhood but is pretty cute in itself. After putting aside all the code violations (like no fire alarms, leaking pipes in the bathroom, and a hand-held shower fixture that sprays water all over the bathroom) and the fire escape that runs right outside both her windows (talk about easy access for the bad guy)the apartment is pretty cute with it's high ceilings and crown molding. The kitchen is tiny, with only room for a strange oven/stove contraption and s sink and small counter. It does have high cupboards so there is ample storage for dishes and food (of which there wasn't any!) She has a nice-size walk-in closet where she can sit at her vanity and hang her clothes. The nearest laundrymat is a good mile away so doing laundry in the bathtub is her norm.

We all went to Wal-mart! Robin and I got two book shelves, one tall and one short, basic cleaning supplies (everything you need for a new apartment type stuff) we got her some needed clothes, then headed for the grocery dept. Since she doesn't have room for much fresh food, we bought lots of package, easy-to-fix stuff like soup, mac and cheese, peanutbutter, jam, etc. We did get produce and fruit, but in small quantities. Chrissy was totally overwhelmed and kept saying "no more", "please don't spend any more money", "I really don't need that", and Robin and I kept saying "shut up...yes you do!" We actually didn't get anything that wasn't absolutely necessary for setting up a new apartment, and I think the only non-essential I bought was yarn so she could keep her hands busy. Which reminds me, I have to send her my crochet patterns.

Chrissy and I sat one morning and I showed her some tips when she crochets her blankets like how to work the loose ends into the pattern, and how to make a douple and triple crochet stitch...she was so excited.

Monday we did the River Walk, which is a very nice walk-way along the river, paved, with lots of flowers, waterfalls, ducks, etc. We had lunch and mango sorbet (O.M.G. that was good!!) Chrissy took us to her church and we were able to go inside and meet some of her new friends (everyone we talked to was worried because she hadn't been to service that Sunday) We just missed meeting the Pastor, but the room where services are held was beautiful. There is a huge stained glass "creation" scene in the ceiling...absolutely beautiful. Chrissy loves her church...a lot...and that makes me feel so proud of her and also very secure knowing she has a good support system in her church family. Each service is recorded to a CD that is available the following Sunday for free, so she picked-up the one she had missed to listen to later as she really enjoys the way Pastor Robert speaks.

Tuesday morning arrived too soon. Chrissy had to get up for work at 6:00 a.m. She and I sat for a few minutes and she just held me and kept saying thank you over and over and how much she misses everyone and how much she appreciated the warm blanket from Sarah and the butterflies and angels Linda sent her (by the way, the angel that plays Amazing Grace chimes every time Chrissy goes past it...sort of like a hug). After a last hug she went off to work and I could hear her crying all the way down the hall. Talk about tear your heart out! Robin and I got up, cleaned up our stuff and headed for Chrissy's work, Carl's Jr. She was able to take a break when we got there and we sat under a tree and drank coffee and laughed together through the tears. Chrissy hugged me and said "Thank you so much, this was such a boost to my soul".

Driving away was awful. Chrissy stood and waved for as long as she could see us. I hated that!

Robin and I drove and took pictures along the way. We stopped at Devil's Slide and took pictures, stopped in Wamsutter, WY...that was a bust...and kept driving. We hit Utah, and got some money shots of the sunset, but refused to stop for the night til we hit Idaho. We stopped in Burley and got a room. Right outside out door were about 6 cowboys who were very nice and invited Robin and me to dinner...on the tailgate of their pickup. Beer and sandwiches...yummmmmy. We politely declined, saying we were only interested in seeing the insides of our eyelids. At 7:15 the next morning, said nice cowboys started their diesel trucks and let them run right ouside our door. I guess that meant it was time for US to get up. The water was bad and smelled like sulpher so we used bottled water to brush our teeth and take PTA baths. We stopped at the Wayside Cafe for breakfast as had been recommended by the motel manager. That turned out to be the best breakfast ever. They really know how to make pancakes and potatoes!

We had planned on stopping in to see my brother Bob on our way home but he had gone back to New York for work, so we kept going. We arrived back in La Grande at around 1:00-ish and I was able to get all kinds of puppy kisses from my Bella. It was so good to see her again. We needed to get back on the road, so left LG around 2:30. We arrived back in Portland around 7:00-ish. So good to be home...except all my plants died...deep sigh.

Today we return the rental car. I've talked to Chrissy already this morning and she is doing fine. She misses us a lot, but is in good spirits.

Well, I'll end for now. My next order of business is to put together the highlights of our journey for everyone to see and hopefully enjoy as much as we did.

In case I haven't said it lately, I want you all to know how much I appreciate and value your friendship. All of you are the boost to MY soul.

Love Me!