What's New?

Remember my post about the job search. Well, I finally obtained a job at a local school district as a computer technician. So far so good ... just some schedule adjustments since I have been off for about 4 months. Anyway, I started thinking about how techy a person I have become over the last 8 years. Some of you may not be interested in this adventure. It takes a special person -- a person that carries an iphone, has multiple computers, a digital camera, pin drives, a multi-card reader, awesome speaker system, 100 Gb external backup drive, .... someone that keeps network cables, USB cables, extra keyboards, mouses, hard drives, motherboards, and video cards in her closet. Someone that keeps her life organized by an Outlook calendar and uses Twitter and Facebook along with dozens of other online services....... I finally added to my techy frenzy by joining NETFLIX!

Trudi and A Voice in the Wind

This adventure began soon after I arrived in San Augustine and has continued until this week and maybe even longer. I've been reading! Books! Actually a series of books by Francine Rivers. They began with A Voice in the Wind and I was hooked the first page. It starts out with the destruction of Jerusalem and tells the story of a Jewish girl named Hadassah and how she survived to become a slave in a Roman household. It is rich in culture, history, faith, and hope. If I ever have a baby girl (which I sadly won't), I would want to name her Hadassah. The book reveals other valiant and faithful characters and ultimately the entire series makes Christ the center of everything. In comparing our culture today with that period in history.... well there is so much to consider and rethink about the way we live our lives today.

I have my friend Trudi to thank for creating this adventure for me. We first met while I was walking my dog in the neighborhood. After talking and sharing with her, she excitedly entrusted the books to me in a basket and told me to take as long as I needed to read them. I can understand why she felt a need to share them. They were wonderfully uplifting!

Auction at the Court House

Our court house is being rebuilt. I do not know all the particulars except that it needed it and that this is a wonderful thing for San Augustine that the community has been working towards. Today the Garden Club of San Augustine held an auction to raise money for this effort. Items being auctioned were taken from the court house and included old ballet boxes, railings, 2 x 4 studs, fluorescent lighting, shelving, desks, doors, miscellaneous electronics, windows and glass, water fountains, and old clay roofing material. This was my first auction to ever attend. I knew my husband wanted some of the fluorescent lighting for his brother's shop use. However, I was afraid of what we would walk away with. Everyone there cared about the court house and wanted a piece of its history and to support the rebuilding efforts. I dare to say that maybe the auction wasn't as successful as it was hoped to be, but I was glad to see the community support and to be a part of that support. We ended up with a plastic milk crate, 2 old ballet boxes, 150 2x4s, 12 fluorescent lights, a bookshelf and some auction bidding experience.

Deer Siting

We have heard that deer visit City Lake some nights. We see the food left for them by neighbors, but have not seen any deer until this week. As we were coming home, our headlights illuminated about 3 deer in our yard near the road. I slowed down and counted as the deer left our yard and slowly made their way across the road to the woods. There were 8 in all. A few nights later they visited our yard again. I am glad we do not have a garden. I'll go check and see if they are there now...

Lost in Arkansas

We visited Arkansas this weekend, mostly to see our son at college. However, the real adventure of the weekend happened at Petit Jean State Park. We decided that since we traveled all this way might as well take in some hiking and see the natural side of Arkansas. We planned a 2-mile hike down to Cedar Falls and back up to the Mather Lodge where we parked our truck. We figure that we had plenty of time to do this and eat before dusk. The trail was beautiful with smooth rocks, ledges, winding paths, and creek water flowing down the mountain. We walked along the creek until we reached the area of the falls. There was layered rock all around forming a canyon around the falls. Hikers were climbing behind the falling water and resting on huge boulders throughout the area and in the water.... very picturesque. We left and decided rather than doubling back we would take the trail that leads to Blue Hole. This is a long deep calm area of the creek. We crossed over it using stones arranged in the water for hikers. Once on the other side we followed the blue trail back to the lodge or so we thought. The map we were using was not really to scale if you know what I mean. Let's just say our 2-mile hike ended up being a 7-mile hike and we barely made it to a main road before sundown. We were actually lost for about an hour and our cell phones had no signal. I thought we might end up spending the night under some of those overshadowing ledges. Before we realized that we might be lost, we were having a wonderful time enjoying the scenery, listening to our iPhone music, enjoying the sunset and stealing a kiss near the Turtle Rocks. Another look at the map and we started double-time back tracking to a main road. Good thing we brought water and a light jacket. Once back to the main road, we contacted the lodge with our iPhone and they pointed us in the right direction which was another mile uphill in the dark. By midnight we were in Texarkana and enjoying a hot shower. I learned that... Arkansas has some beautiful and adventurous state parks.

Dinner Invitation

When I first came to San Augustine, I would walk up East Columbia towards the library and admire the beautiful old homes. They are all well landscaped with azaleas and mature trees. Most have large porches and rocking chairs. I was so thankful to experience a wonderful evening in one of these homes this week for a delicious meal with some of our new friends from church. I feel that when someone invites you to their home, they are opening up their lives to you and value your friendship. I observed the hostess finishing up the final preparations and having us serve our plates and set us at the large dining table. The table was decorated with Easter bunnies and chocolate. We all enjoyed each other's company conversing about family, concern for our country, San Augustine, schools in America, and so on. The hostess continued the evening conversing, listening, and serving coffee and dessert. What a wonderful act of hospitality and kindness! This was her act of love and a most memorable evening for me in San Augustine -- one that I wish to pay forward soon.

My Sunrise Service

Sometimes I have a hard time sleeping, going to sleep, and staying asleep. I have heard that happens sometimes as you get older. I was lucky and slept until 5:30 am this Sunday morning. I decided instead of laying there wishing I could sleep some more, I would make an early day of it. After baking a cake and reading a little Francine Rivers, I looked outside and noticed a little light was starting to show and got this bright idea to go to the boat launch and watch the sun rise over City Lake. I parked the truck and just sat near the water in silence breathing the fresh morning air. The fog was floating off the water and the only sounds were the occasional fish splashing and the birds chirping. It was chilly and I was thankful for my sweats and jean jacket. I felt completely safe and alone. While the sun was peaking over the far side of the lake, I listened for God and prayed. I prayed that I was doing the right things and for forgiveness. I also thanked him for this quiet time to be completely alone with Him.

Mexican Train

I am the Mexican Train champion! It was not just luck, we played 2 games and I won both. There were 6 of us playing against each other. The second game the others positioned me behind Jeff to see if he could throw some impossible moves my way. I think that I surprised them with my cunning and competitive nature despite my quiet reserved demeanor. :) It is wonderful to get together with friends and family and share some competition and laughs, along with a delicious meal of brisket and blackberry cobbler. We spent all day at Toledo Bend Lake with Jeff's parents, his brother and family, and some friends we have known since we were teenagers. We remembered old times and shared coming times. I enjoy seeing others laugh and smile, and I hope to create such heartwarming get togethers like this for others while here in San Augustine.

But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3: 14-15

Adventures with my dog

Maggie is her name and she spent several hours in her cage after this incident. Maggie is a our 10-year old miniature Dachshund. She has always been unable to control her hunting instincts. She does not walk in a straight line, she sniffs to and fro until she is gone. She may return hours later knowing that she is in trouble. While I was working in the yard moving items from the house to a storage building, she followed me around and played with our cat and she always comes and checks in with me. This day I missed her after awhile and called her. I called her for over half an hour. I got in my truck and drove around the block and called her some more. The second time around the block I heard her barking under our neighbor's house. That neighbor was not home. I spent an hour trying to coax her out. I was comical trying to order her out, stomping on the porch, shaking her food box... When she finally came out she had several scratches on her face. She had cornered a cat. So I scolded her and we went back home. I put her leash on her and tied her to a tree and continued my tasks. After a while, I looked over and I saw her pink leash, but I did not see her. She had chewed the leash off and had gone straight under my neighbor's house again. After getting her out this time, I put her in her doggy cage. She did not even whimper until late evening. This week she has been especially out of control. Besides chasing a cat and chewing her leash in 2 pieces, she also got into my purse and pulled out a burrito that I was saving for Jeff. She is also demanding to be picked up, fed, and watered with her low growls. She has even growled for me to sit in the recliner, so she can sleep right beside me while I read. That is what she wanted. She rules the house, and she is my best bud.

The Adventure of the Job Search

Looking for a job can be an adventure... a continuous adventure. I have been looking since December 11th. After about 70 contacts, I am reflecting on this adventure. You become acquainted with how to get around and it is exciting to meet so many new people. In a town such as San Augustine, once you meet someone you are a friend. So I have made many new friends. You also get to know yourself better and what your strengths and weaknesses are and how to answer those hard interview questions. Your working career is reduced to a 2-page resume, which makes life seem simple. I am blessed in that having a job is not a necessity. My income would be a second income and living here makes that unnecessary for now. In a way, I believe the Lord is trying to tell me - you can rest from your last 10 years of stress and struggle. .......That's right, I have not been hired! I could ramble on and on about how qualified I am, my interviews, politics and cliques, commutes to larger cities to work, lack of being bi-lingual, self-doubt, etc. However, I will accept that I need to rest and continue looking at the brighter side of life and enjoy what San Augustine is giving me. I'll keep busy with my search, reading and study, walks, canoe trips, and friendships. Humbly, I truly thank you Lord!

Flooding again

We thought we had left flooding behind. We refuse to fret about damage from a hurricane again to our home, no more evacuating, no more deciding what is important enough to take with you...... Woke up to 1-2 " of water in 2/3 of our rental house. I would not call the landlord. I couldn't face him and tell him that his house was flooded. I tried to find the humor in it, of course. (I joked that I did not want to go anywhere today anyway.) I discovered quickly that I was the hand that started it. I started a load of clothes at 6:00 am and went back to bed. Which means that the water overflowed the washer for a good 3 hours. I wonder what our water bill will be? The 3 of us worked until 2:00 or 2:30 sucking up water and pulling our pad and carpet. I once told a friend that any day that makes me happy is an adventure. Did this day make me happy? Yes, tired and sore but happy. I found out what I was made of, no crying, no giving up, no concern for my things, and we shared some true grit times with our landlord and friend.

City Lake

The canoe trip was wonderful! My son and I paddled all over City Lake starting toward the dam and water treatment center back toward the quarry and Caney Creek. There we saw an eagle soar away from its huge nest atop a tall pine tree. We wished that we had binoculars and could see if perhaps her young were stirring way up there. The air was calm and the water serene. Cows were grazing on a nearby hill and catfish were gulping bits of something from the top of the water. We watched a duck dive under the water and come up further away from us. We paddled to the far side of the lake toward Carrizo Creek. We beached the canoe on a jutting peninsula and after looking around, we pulled the canoe over a low spot and ventured up the creek a little ways. At one point we had to lean back in the canoe and glide under a fallen tree. A little further and we beached the canoe once again. On foot we continued up Carrizo Creek to look for evidence of wild life. We were not disappointed. Beavers had dropped trees and built a dam. We took pictures of the gnaw marks on the trees and nubs. It is incredible that such a small animal could chew through those trees. We meandered with the stream and saw deer tracks, honeysuckle, blackberry vines, cane, wild flowers, and clear flowing water. At one point we came across another beaver dam, and on the other side a pair of mallard ducks. We both sat there listening to hear what we could hear, each not wanting to leave for fear of missing something. We knew we were not the only ones out there, but so it seemed. Impatience got the best of us and we hiked back to the canoe and worked our way back out onto the lake. By then the wind had picked up and our paddling back to the boat launch was labored. Some fishermen had been at the boat launch almost as long as we were out on the lake. They helped us load up the canoe and back home we went to finish our day.

"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

Slept late.

Walked in my neighborhood today after being cooped up for 2 days with a "sickness" that I will not describe for you. :) Met some neighbors and some dog friends. I did this after sleeping until 1:30 pm.

While I was sick, a neighbor stopped by to tell me of a job opening. She sees me often at the City of San Augustine and knew I was looking for a job. She encouraged me to put in my application again. I wish I knew where she lived or knew her phone number. I was doped up on phenergan when she stopped by. I need to explain.

I cleaned out my 278,000 mile van which we are going to sell and I made 2 batches of homemade bisquits and tomato gravy to eat later.

My son arrived from college to enjoy his Spring Break. Today they picked up a canoe in Orange and tomorrow I will be the adventurous Mom and get up before sunrise and canoe with him in City Lake. I hope he knows what he is doing, because I'm not sure I do.

Today really was an adventure... I was creative, productive, and active (at least after 1:30). Looking forward to tomorrow.

Meeting friends

One of my first adventures in San Augustine was meeting JT. She kenneled and groomed our dog. Her office was 1 block from us on the square. I was so thrilled to find someone to take such good care of Maggie. One day I shared with her that it looked like we were going to have to move away to Nacogdoches because we could not find another place to rent. We had tried several places and there was always something that prevented us from getting the rental. JT is so friendly and caring, and resourceful! "Wait, I can introduce you to someone who might can help you."

We walked next door (with Maggie in tow) to an insurance agency where she introduced me to Brad. All of this had to be God's devine intervention. He was closing on a place the end of the month. It was a 3 bedroom with central air and heat, washer and dryer, and storage buildings. Jeff and I looked at it within the next couple of days and thought it was perfect and in a great neighborhood with families we had already met. It was all I could do to wait until his closing on the house and our 30-day notice to our current landlord. I felt that Brad and JT wanted us to stay in San Augustine; it is nice to be wanted. Their care and kindness brought us back to some sense of normalcy and purpose in this world. I am forever greatful.

"We are surrounded by a great cloud of people whose lives tell us what faith means..."
Hebrews 12

In the beginning...

So what brought me to San Augustine? It was a combination of my husband's job transfer and the damage from Hurricane Ike. I worked as a computer technician in Orange and lived in Orangefield. My husband was transferred soon after the last kid left to go to college and just before Hurricane Ike. I planned to stay and sell our house and work a little longer. Hurricane Ike flooded our home, and I did not have a place to live. I was stayng with friends and trying to drag out the inevitable. Once I decided to quit my job and move to San Augustine, that is where this adventure and time in my life began.

We lived temporarily in a one bedroom leaning duplex with space heaters. Even though we had lost a lot of things in the flood, we still had a lot to keep up with such as linens, dishes, pictures, etc. We were given matresses and a bed. We salvaged a fouton and recliner from our offices at work. We also managed to save our table, hutch, and chairs from the flooded house. It was drafty, cold, and crowded. We had a wonderful Landlord who took us in to this duplex, but we did not realize how spoiled we were to central air and heat and larger space.

Some of my first adventurers included walking up Columbia toward the San Augustine Library and listening to the church bells at noon. It was a beautiful Fall day. I walked there several times and took pictures of the colorful leaves and trees and walkways. I ventured further to the hospital. Yes, San Augustine has a hospital complete with helipad.

On another hike I walked around the square and viewed the old Courthouse that is about to be renovated. On the square there are antique places, drug stores, a workout gym, insurance agencies, old theater, car dealerships, banks, auto parts store, and hardware store.

San Augustine was peaceful and low key. . . a healing place.