You have to drive a lot of tin to find your crystal!

Less than a week ago it became evident that my daughter in law's beloved van; "Gracie" was on her last wheels and was no longer able to transport my son, Chris, Paula and granddaughter baby Star, safely around town anymore.  Gracie plays a sentimental role in our families life (especially Chris and Paula's) in that she drove them to and from Florida safely and without a hitch (they had everything in the roof carrier), even with a blown head gasket on the way to Florida and a glued in spark plug on the way back from Florida.

Chris and Paula took Gracie to the shop on Saturday and the diagnoses was not a happy one.  She would require $2500 worth of work.  Even Paula admitted that Gracie would not merit being brought back to life at that price.   It was decided that the family would need to buy a new vehicle and so.....as the week began....so did the hunt.

On the outset of this story; it is important for the reader to know that when Chris and Paula put their minds to doing something and....their trust in a loving God.....the end result is always positive.

Sunday Chris and Paula scoured Craigslist for a vehicle that would not only safely move their family from one spot to another but they quickly decided upon a type of vehicle.  They knew they wanted a van of some type because they are not much for staying in one place and they wanted something they could comfortably travel in and stay in if the need presented itself.  They choose an Econoline conversion van.

You know how once you have decided on a type of vehicle you see them everywhere?  Well that was certainly the case for us.  Even though most of the Econoline vans are older, they seem to last forever and so there are a lot of them to choose from.  But because they are older they each come with their individual quirks.

Monday brought them to two vans, one in Southeast Portland and the other in Oregon City.  The one in Southeast Portland was not a conversion van but an Acura Mini Van.  The price was right on this and from the pictures it looked flawless.  After driving all the way to the dealership, come to find out there was a big dent on the passenger side of the van, something they had failed to take a picture of for the post on craigslist or mention on the phone.  Another one they had advertised at that particular car lot also looked like a good one until they called on it and the dealer said; "great van, you just have to jump it to get it started."  Thanks but no thanks.  From there after a quick stop at McDonalds it was off to Oregon City to see the next one.

This particular van was for sale by owner.  Again from the sound of the ad and the pictures on the craigslist post the van looked wonderful.  It had 170,000 miles on it and the last 40,000 miles was on a new engine.  Older gentlemen who supposedly; "had babied the van".  Keep in mind these vans are old and have been around for awhile (just like their previous owners).  Len was with Chris and Paula when they went for a test drive.  Upon further inspection this van was also less than wonderful.  It had holes in the carpet, the lights in the cab didn't work, the headlights weren't as bright as they should be, but as they drove all engine related mechanics seemed to work well.  They had just about decided this might be an ok choice (remember these guys are on a tight budget and so for the amount they are willing to pay for a vehicle you are going to have some things that aren't quite right).  But safety wise....this was looking good.  Len pulled over, turned off the engine so that they could change drivers, Paula got in the drivers seat....and the van would not start again.  This was the first indication that this was not the van to be bought, the second was when they called the owner to tell them they were stranded and he replied; "what, did you turn off the ignition?"

Tuesday looked more promising when another conversion van was located in Tigard, also by a private seller.  This one had 218,000 miles.  A little higher than desirable.  It was beautiful though.  It ran nicely, (except for a nagging sound that Len thought might be the beginning of a transmission problem), the seats were clean and in good shape (except for the fact that the wires for electric seat/bed in the back had to be jeery rigged every time you wanted to put it up or down) and the front seat was very comfortable (yet the adjustments on the seat didn't work so Paula would have had to wear her high heel boots and have a pillow behind her just to reach the pedals.)  This was a gem...and remember...for the price...there has to be some problems.  It was decided this was the car for them... they negotiated the price and went in search of cash.  Did you know most ATMs won't let you get enough money out to buy even a early 1990's van?  After calling the bank in hopes of getting them to authorize a larger withdrawal, they all finally came to the conclusion this purchase would have to wait for the banks to open on Wednesday.

Len was having some reservations about the high mileage of the van in Tigard and began looking at Craigslist again to see if anything new had been added.  As luck would have it Wednesday at 11:54 a.m. ANOTHER ECOLINE VAN was posted on craigslist.  This one in NW Portland.  A white one with yellow stripes.  57,000 original miles, new tires, muffler, battery, and even new windshield wipers.  This was sounding too good to be true.  As Len was off to do some church service, I was left in charge of this particular expedition.  My son asked me as we went to look at it, "mom do you know what a good engine sounds like?"  I told him I thought I could probably decipher it.  We drove out Corneilus Pass Rd as the sun was setting, hoping we would be able to get a look at the car (and the beautiful view from these folks house) before it got dark.   We arrived before sundown, the view from the hill of the valley and the Van was stunning.  It was everything they had advertised and more.  All the lights, electrical parts, engine, tires...everything works.  It has a gorgeous paint job and the carpet (albeit it is 23 years old) has no wholes in it and is clean.  Paula said it looks as if this van was taken right out of 1989 and dropped into 2012 (missing all of the years in between).  We took it for a test drive and it performed terrifically.  Just as we got back to the owners house (the owners story is a topic of a whole nother blog) the van began to sputter.  (WAIT WE THOUGHT THIS WAS THE VAN)  Don't panic, this is the van, it just was out of gas.  The owners rather embarassed, jumped in their other car (a mini cooper) and went down to the valley with a gas can and got us some gas.  Upon putting the gas in the tank, the car started right up and ran perfectly again.  We happily gave them our cash (which we got out of the bank before we headed up the hill ) and got the title and were on our way.

Upon arrival at home as Paula was getting out of the car, she noticed something in the cubby of the driver's seat door...... a crystal.......for any of you who know Paula you know how much crystals are a favorite of hers and have great meaning in her life.  We truly did find a "gem " of and in this van.

The Simple things

In church yesterday a woman told us about her recent trip to take care of her aging mother for 6 weeks. She said that it was the first time she had left her husband for that long.  While she was gone he learned how to do laundry, cook a little and grocery shop.  She was so thrilled that he had developed these skills while she was away.  She also let us know how much she loved her husband and told us that he was her best friend.  Guess how long they have been married?  47 years!!!  It is the simple things that feed our love for one another.   It is not the fact that your husband bought you a super large diamond or that wonderful sports car you have been dreaming of.  It's not that you took a three week trip to Europe or sailed around the world on the fanciest cruise ship.  Oh those things may be nice and I certainly am not saying they wouldn't be lovely to do....but those are not the things that relationships are made of.

This past labor day weekend is a perfect example of how the simple things in our relationships with one another (whether it be; family or friends) create memories and relationships that endure.  

Friday was our granddaughter Star's first birthday.  Her parents (Chris and Paula) have been planning her birthday celebration for weeks now.  She was to have her own little cake and then for the true birthday dessert we would all have cheesecake (because Star loves cheese and cheesecake).  When I called to arrange for the cake, Chris and Paula made the special request that it have a rainbow with a star at the end on it.  I talked to the baker and she said they only put the baby's name on these cakes and they didn't have any special things they could put on it.  I offered to pay additional (which meant paying something because before that it was free. )  The baker said it would not be possible to do and shared some possible alternatives with me.    When I picked up the cake on Friday much to my surprise... it was beautifully decorated with a rainbow and a star.   Starlynn and her parents were so happy at the results.  She had a great time eating her cake and making a total mess.  As she did so we reminisced about the first birthdays of each of my own children. 

Saturday morning we headed up to Arlington, WA to visit Len's sister and Mother for a couple of  days.  We had originally planned on going up to Washington several weeks ago and then going camping over the Labor day weekend but because of illness in the household in Washington we postponed the Washington trip and rescheduled it for labor day weekend.  I was disappointed that we were not going camping so....we decided to set up the tent in Len's sister's back yard and "camp out" there.  

We had a wonderful visit with Len's sister Sharon and husband John and Len's mom.  Mainly we just sat out in the sun on the deck and occasionally threw a frisbee around for their golden lab Samantha to catch.  She would retrieve the frisbee over and over again until one of us (either Samantha or I) were so tired we couldn't do it anymore.   We simply enjoyed being together. 

Sunday afternoon we headed home.  We listened to various podcasts, talked and listened to music and the time and miles flew past.  

Today started off with a nice walk with a friend followed by several hours of doing whatever we pleased.  After lunch we went as a family on a hike in Forest Park, stopped for ice cream cones at Baskin-Robbins and then got groceries for the week.

When we got home from our outing,  I went out to the side yard to clean up some moss that had dropped on our newly created gravel path.  Len noticed what I was doing and started at the other end of the path helping me.  As we worked our way towards each other I promised him a kiss when we reached the middle together.  The next few minutes were spent anticipating that meeting as we picked up bits of moss and put them in our buckets....and a subject for a blog was born.  It really is all about, "the simple things".

Jury Duty

Several months ago I received a letter from the City of Beaverton letting me know that I would be called for Jury Duty sometime in the coming months.  Then a couple of months ago I received a notice that I would be serving on the 23rd of August.  I put it on my calendar and didn't think about it much until this week.  I had been called many times for Washington County but this was the first time for the city of Beaverton.

This has been my last week of freedom before returning to work next week so I have been really enjoying these past few days.  Doing some things that I don't normally do just because "I can".  Remember this fact for later on in my post.  It is a powerful thing this "freedom to roam" as we choose.

I jumped on my moped this morning and rode down to the Beaverton City hall for what I hoped was a quick in and out; thanks for coming but we don't need you or want you...

There were 18 of us potential jurors.  Only six would be chosen.  As luck would have it I was among the first six to sit in the juror box to have the attorneys ask some questions and begin to eliminate those they did not feel would be acceptable for this particular jury.  When the defense attorney came to me to ask a question; I answered his question and then he replied; "you should have been a lawyer, we deal with what you just explained everyday".  Great....all my thoughts of going home and working in the garden or playing with my granddaughter went out the window with that comment.  I was there to stay for the day.  

The case was concerning a 41 year old disabled man who after receiving two "exclusion" tickets from the tri-met system for consistently not having fare on the Max train was arrested upon his third offensive within a month for trespassing (considering he was not supposed to be riding the train or on the tri-met property for thirty days).  

Both the prosecution and the defensive gave there opening statements and then we had an hour lunch.  Once again I was free and a bagel with lox and cream cheese and a Reese's peanut butter cup was lunch and some time to sit in the sun and read my book.  

After lunch we heard both sides of the case.  This was a man who had really been dealt some difficult things in his life.  He was partially blind, had a bad back and was without work or a home.  He depended on the Tri-met system to get wherever he went.  He had applied for what is called an "honored citizen" card (which would allow him to ride Tri-met at a considerable discount)  but did not have it at the time of his first and second encounter with the Tri-met fare controllers.  He did receive it before his third encounter but once again did not have the proper fare and ultimately just because he received this "honored citizen" card, didn't mean that he was no longer under the exclusion.  

After the closing arguments it was time for we of the jury to go to the jury room for deliberations.  I had visions of us being in there for hours without food or drink.  The bailiff told us to take our bathroom breaks before we began because once we started deliberating we would not be allowed to leave until we were done.  

It took us about 45 minutes of some, at times, heated discussion before we reached a plea of guilty by all six of us.  One of the jurors was not completely convinced that the burden of proof beyond reasonable doubt had been met but came to the conclusion that most of her reservation was from bias, racial concerns and sympathy (all of which we had been told were not things we could base our decision on) so she joined us with the guilty decision.

We were taken back to the courtroom, our designated juror gave the verdict we all concurred individually and the judge read the verdict to the defendant and attorneys.  The judge then dismissed the jurors but not before extending to us the opportunity to stay and listen to the sentencing.  All of the other jurors left without hesitation but I felt I had been there for the past 7 hours and 10 more minutes was not going to kill me.

I found my seat at the back of the courtroom and what transpired next was probably the most profound 10 minutes of the entire day.  The prosecuting attorney was asked what his suggestion of a sentence was.  He told the judge that not only had the defendant been charged in this case, and a few that he brought up during the trial, but he went on to name 5 or 6 more convictions he had had in the past 10-15 years several of which were related to the tri-met system.  The judge then asked the defendant if he was ready for the sentencing or did he want to postpone it 48 hours.  He was instructed that if he choose to wait 48 hours he would spend that time in jail.  To this he turned to his attorney and had a quite lengthy and emotional conversation.  It was very clear that when he came to City Hall this morning he had not planned on being incarcerated at the end of the day.  He had a backpack with him and he fully believed he would walk out of that courtroom with either a slap on the hand (figuratively)  and a fee or maybe some time in jail but after a few more days of freedom.  He was not prepared for what now lay in front of him. The prosecuting attorney suggested he be sentenced to 30 days in jail for each of the two crimes he was convicted of.  

As I walked out of the courtroom this afternoon I felt humbled and grateful for the freedom I have.  For the ability I had this week to choose what I wanted to do with that freedom.  We have that freedom as we follow laws, rules and regulations.  We don't always agree with the laws or rules as they are imposed on us but it is our duty to follow them until we are able to change them or have permission to make an exception to them.   Should we choose to disobey those laws or rules we subject ourselves to the consequences for our actions.  We cannot choose to violate laws or rules and expect that we will still have the ability to make the same choices we were when we were following those laws.  

My day in court was one of introspection and gratitude for the freedom we have in this country.  Also a gratitude for protection we are given by the laws and constitution which exists in our country.  That which protects us as we live the laws but also for those that may stray from them that they still have the opportunity for a fair trial.  Yes my last week of freedom was interrupted with a day in court but so be it, for it helped remind me of what a glorious blessing my freedom really is.

Erma Bombeck I'm not!

When I was a young married woman I came upon an author of American Humor; Erma Bombeck.  She wrote columns in newspapers and then many books that presented life in an american household in a very light and humorous way.  Some of her book titles are:  The Grass is always greener over the septic tank,

Family...the ties that Bind....and Gag

and my personal favorite; If life is a bowl of Cherries , What am I doing in the pits. 

   She wrote her books in such a way that we could all relate to her stories and she helped us to see the humorous side of family life.



Some quotes from Erma Bombeck help us to see how wonderful she was at helping us to "lighten up".

She gave us the go ahead to be human, to feel the way we feel and know it was alright to feel that way.  How many times have you gotten down on yourself for giving in to the temptation to eat "just one little piece of that cake" you said you weren't going to eat.....to that Erma would say; "seize the moment.  Remember all those women on the "Titanic" who waved off the dessert cart."

I'm convinced that my family puts the toilet tissue roll on backwards (what, says my children and husband, there is a right and wrong way to put the toilet roll on?) just to see if I will come by and turn it around....FOR THE MILLIONTH TIME!!!!  To this Erma said; "Education is so important when it comes to domesticity. I don't know why no one ever thought to paste a label on the toilet tissue spindle giving 1-2-3 directions for replacing the tissue on it. Then everyone in the house would know what Mama knows."

Not only did Erma write about the family we were now living with but she would often write about the generation before; our parents or in - laws or the generation to follow; our grandchildren who she said about; "a grandmother and a grandchild share a common enemy;......your child.....their parent. "  Another person she wrote about was her own mother.  I can relate to the quote where she said;  "My mother phones daily to ask, "Did you just try to reach me?" When I reply, "No", she adds, "So, if you're not too busy, call me while I'm still alive," and hangs up. "  I'm convinced that my own mother forgets that the phone works both ways.  I can't count the times I have called her after a number of weeks and had her say; "well I wondering if you were ever going to call again."  

Much to the sadness of her readers Erma Bombeck passed away in 1996.  I too was saddened by her passing.  Life has been too serious since then.  There have been many times since then that I thought....."maybe.....just maybe....I could take a stab at being the next "Erma Bombeck".  I realize that I could never hope to be as successful in my writing as her but "hey", if I don't try I'll never know.....

  

Remodeling the Garden

I suppose we have all known someone or have at one time or another remodeled a house.  But have you ever heard of "remodeling the garden"?  Most of the time it is usually referred to as "landscaping or    some other synonyms I found were;  decorate, adorn, grace, ornament, embellish, beautify.  

White picket fence (very much in need of painting)

Deck and Hot tub

Grow boxes with beans and cucumbers

Deck 

Fence Knik Knaks

Arbor and a hammock (My son Chris's project, sure turned out great!!!)

We moved into our house 13 years or so ago.  It has been a work in progress ever since then.  The first thing we did with our yard was to build some grow boxes and start a garden (right away I think we were beautifying the yard with the grow boxes and the vegetables and flowers that grew in them).  A few years later came the deck and a hot tub (hence the embellishment).  I've always been a fan of white picket fences and since we only had a little dog, who could not jump very high, we built one and so we; graced  the garden.  My husband loves little fence knik knaks  or as some may call them, ornaments,  so we lined our fence with them.  Along the way we have added; a swing, a market umbrella, a gazebo and some other various patio furniture.  You might say we decorated the deck.

  And this year's project is a arbor to adorn the back 40 (or more like the back 5) of our postage stamp yard.

Our remodeling has taken many years to complete (and there are still more things to do) but we have been thorough in covering all the elements of a true backyard remodeling or landscaping job.

Why I chose what I chose!

I suppose my first post of my new blog should explain the titles of the blog itself and also my profile title.  I titled this Blog; "For the Beauty of the Earth",  because I believe my life is basically good and it is basically good because my Heavenly Father created it so.  And because my life is on the earth at this time the blessings that come to me are because of the beauty which life on this earth has to offer.  I hope that makes sense and if it doesn't.... just accept the fact that I thought "For the Beauty of the Earth" was a cool name for a blog.  The title or name for my profile is a little easier to explain.   My profile name is; "A new phase of life".  So much of my life right now has been turned upside down.  This isn't a bad thing, actually in most regards it is a very good thing.   Last summer my husband Len and I became empty nesters.  Our youngest daughter moved downtown and left us with an empty house.  Then this spring our youngest son came home from college for the spring and summer to work and wait to go overseas to Japan for a year of college at a University there.  THEN....at the beginning of July our third son Chris moved home with his family which consists of Chris, Paula and their baby Starlyn (my granddaughter) and two cats: Forest and Sandman.  (I really like the names of these cats, the cats themselves.....the relationship is a work in progress)  So in a matter of months we went from being a family of 2 to being a family of 8 (including the cats).  At the same time Len moved his office home and so not only did we gain a number of  bodies to fill the bedrooms back up again but we lost a bedroom to Len's office.  (I had a sewing room for about a month).    We having a blast having the kids here.  It is fun having adult children in the home.  They clean up after themselves (for the most part), they can carry on a two sided conversation, they help buy food and they provide a little excitement to an otherwise sometimes too quiet of an existence.  But I digress, as each one of those things is a blog for another day.  The other part to my upside down world is that I have a new job.  For the past four years I have worked as the attendance secretary at a local middle school.  Because of a huge budget cut in our district, many jobs have been shuffled and I will be at another middle school in the fall doing something entirely different than what I have been doing.  This has caused a little anxiety in that I am not all together sure what I will be doing.  I am the Computer Support Technician/Testing Coordinator.  We'll see where that all leads.  Needless to say life is changing and I am entering into a new phase of life.....