Saturday, December 10, 2011

Christmas Is Here - We are doing fine!

There have been Christmas' in the past 4 years, that we just made it through the season.  Without Our Lord, Jesus - leading us by the hand - there were times of deep depression, sorrow and "Why Us" times - that could have not allowed us to see the Joy that is Christmas.  Adele and I thank the Lord that He was with us as always, and helped us get through the past years.

Adele will have more tests in Jan or Feb - her 3 year tests since the stem cell transplant.  We have enjoyed this year greatly, since we both have gotten on a regimen that allows us to continue to be strong.  She is now my care taker as I look forward to getting my chronic back problems fixed.  It would be wonderful to live without so much pain everyday.

On Nov 22, we were in an automobile accident, having been hit in the driver's door by a car making a left turn into our path.  The Malibu (only 2 years and 3 months old with 24,000 miles) now has about $10,000 in damages and I have just gone to the doctor yesterday, since I have been unable to get rid of this stress headache and shoulder pain.  State Farm Insurance (the at fault party's insurance) has yet to give us a determination on fault, so I had to rent a car by myself - letting them pay for it later, and our car cannot be started until they OK the repairs.  What a bunch of ... It's been 2 1/2 weeks since the crash - hopefully we will hear from them next week.

Other things not helping include: Julie's Mother in Law, Cathy passed on Sunday Dec 6th, Julie and Ruby were here to get last visits in with Cathy the week before. Ruby is great and I love taking care of her, but it does add stress and worry about how she (at 3) will take the death of her GrandMom. Last Tuesday we drove to Phila (Adele stayed home) and picked up Eric for the funeral on Wed.  On Wednesday we traveled about 260 miles, Ephrata to Quakertown to Philadelphia to Ephrata and then crash on the sofa.  Of course the rain all day made it so much easier? to drive - wipers on as high as they could go most of the trip to the airport.

Everyone knows the small business environment is also doing poorly, and some months it seems like a lost cause, after 20 years - is it time to go with just one customer?  I am 63 in Jan, Adele is already on Social Security Disability and always asks if I want to get on SS also.  I am at a 'Why Not' stage, work with 1 customer, and a few charities, and drop the rest?  Oh well, that decision is stressful but is not chief in my concerns.

Oh, Julie, Eric and Ruby missed the flight from Charlotte SC to Augusta on Wednesday, then they went to the US Air meeting the people called and were offered a night's stay and flight out the next morning.  Julie and Eric both had to be at work around 7 the next morning, so they looked for a rental car, and all cars had been rented.  So standing there they thought about other options and found a man driving a Lincoln Town Car that offered to drive them home for $big buck$, so they did finally get home in Augusta GA (Evans actually) by 12:30am and thankfully Ruby slept most of the way.  She even was laughing at the severe turbulence they experience from Phila to Charlotte - plane was flying sideways is what Julie said.

Neat stuff - Swatara Township just received their new squad car, a Chevy Impala, rear wheel drive, with a 6 Liter engine - tons of torque and HP for them.  My son Tom was anxious to see it, as Ford's Police package is either front wheel or all wheel drive, no rear wheel drive available from Ford.  It sounds like Swatara Twp likes the new Chevy - Way to go GM!

UPDATE ON THAT POLICE CAR: It was a loaner and just available for a day from a local dealer.

My stress is slowly subsiding, and we will be getting ready for 2 weeks to visit GA for Christmas.  The Chevy Malibu will not be done until January, so we will use the rental HHR we have for the trip.

Next post after all yearly tests are done and commented on by all of the doctors.

Have a safe and Joyous Christmas Season.  Let your Love of Jesus shine for others to see!
Thank You - Rick and Adele Stauffer