Overcast and drizzly but it's supposed to clear by this afternoon...

I awoke several times before the alarm was scheduled to go off and about 6:28 AM I called Nora to wish her a good night. She told me that her stomach was still bothering her. And also the card that I sent to Joyce Ann had not arrived yet and so perhaps you will not get the card until after her birthday even though I did send it almost 2 1/2 weeks before.

It is "All Saints" holiday in the Philippines. Came home from coffee and started the first of two loads of laundry and that will probably comprise my workload for the day. I may go down to hometown furniture and see if I can find a spring to repair my recliner with. I wish both Oregon teams luck in their games today I hope they are victorious. And in the event that they are not I still hope the fans have a good time...

It's Friday and it's cold out and overcast

I had a little bit of a troubled sleep last night knowing that Nora was sick and of course wanting to be there to comfort her was an impossibility. There’s an old saying that goes something about about the greater the distance the heart grows fonder, I’m not real sure about that, I know it certainly does grow more impatient. However I did tell her to take care of herself get plenty of rest and drink plenty of liquids. Not sure what she has but hopefully it’s something relatively simple. Not much on the agenda for today I need to buy a couple of C. cell batteries for the hot water heater and I did just go to mega foods and purchased six diet Pepsi sixpacks and a couple loaves of 12 grain bread and a bottle of hot peppers. Anyway have a good day...

Today is my Friday it is wet and dreary...

This morning, I started waking up at 3:30 AM and then 4:30 AM and then 5:30 AM and finally I called Nora at 6:25 AM. We chatted for a few moments and she told me that there is another typhoon on the way to the Philippines... God forbid! We then hung up after about six minutes and I went down to McDonald’s for coffee. I chatted with Marie this morning, and then went to the senior center to deliver my meals for the day. Ahead eight frozen meals to deliver also so it was a busy day. On the way home I stopped at megamart and bought 1/2 gallon of milk and also a roaster chicken already cooked. That will be my dinner. Back home now, cleaned up the kitchen and made some hot chocolate. To everyone I wish a good day.

It is definitely getting close to winter Brrrrrr!

Last night was a restless night it seemed that I had one dream after another and none of them were inter-connected. It disrupted my sleep so that when my phone alarm went off at 6:30 AM I was still quite tired. Nora told me that she received yet another letter from me and of course she was quite happy about that. She said that she and the children would be writing me another letter today which I dearly look forward to. If nothing else, having to wait for her arrival in our impending marriage is building patience in me. Dress warm my friends, there’s a bite in the air.

Tuesday morning a little dreary and a light drizzle but not bad.

I woke this morning about 5:30 AM and then drifted back to sleep until my phone woke me at 6:30 AM and then I called Nora to wish her a goodnight and pleasant dreams I also told her of receiving the letters yesterday and the effect that they had upon me. She was in a good mood also because she had received yet another letter from me, this one was the one that I had put the red maple leaf in. She really liked that. Now down to McDonald’s for coffee, I did get to talk to Marie Little bit, she was going to go home because Wayne was not working today. Myron, was there at all worried about confirming his flight and I showed him what to do and so he settled down to poor guy is like a potter water that’s just hovering around the boiling point. I am sure once he gets to China everything will be fine. Off to the senior center where I had 17 deliveries today. After deliveries I stopped at Bi-Mart to check my number but as usual mine was not shown. Back home now and having a couple of pieces of cinnamon raisin toast and some hot chocolate and that will take care of my lunch. I do hope that each and every one of you enjoy the day make the most of it after all it’s another week till next Tuesday.

Monday wet, wetter and soaked!

I woke this morning about 4:30am and then went back to sleep and was gently aroused by the alarm on my phone. Of course that is my calling to dial Nora's number in the Philippines and wish her a good night. She had great news, her Taiwan’s security clearance came yesterday and also a letter from me so she was in an extremely good mood. After I hung up with her I went down to McDonald’s for coffee, stayed there until about 8:45am and then went to the senior center to prepare to deliver meals. While I was there the sky opened up and dumped about a ton of rain. I pretty much got wet on every delivery, and I had two more deliveries today for a total of 18. After deliveries I stopped at the Lebanon dog and had an order of biscuits and gravy... after checking calories for that meal I’m very glad I only have it once every couple of weeks. That pretty much ate up all my spare calories for today. Back home now watching it rain and of course waiting for the mail to arrive to see if I get anything from the islands. I hope y’all can stay dry today, but if you have to be out in this stuff dress appropriately.

Is a nice day today but very cold...

I walked to the alarm on my phone this morning at 6:15 AM and placed a call to the Philippines... which is now going to be my daily routine so that I can wish nor a good nights sleep as she is going to bed as I am waking up. I know it’s funny, to see somebody in what used to be called stages of puppy love I suppose mine of course is a more advanced situation than that but the feelings are still the same the fluttering of the heart and the quickening of the pulse. I don’t really care how it’s described, I enjoy the feeling and I feel so fortunate to have recaptured the ability to love. My fondest hope would be that each and every one of you experience some degree of this feeling. Anyway today is a day to spend inside I don’t have much to do considering all my housework is done and the laundry is done so I think perhaps I’ll read the paper and maybe enjoy the race at Martinsville. Have a wonderful day everyone, tomorrow is turn and burn.

Saturday...

I woke up at 5am, layed in bed until 5:30 then got up. Not raining today so that is good I guess... I will be going to coffee soon, then we shall see where the day leads. Back home from having coffee and I decided today was the day... so I gets out my endust and I proceed to dust everything in sight, including the end tables, the coffee table, that the leather furniture, the lamps, everything on the entertainment center everything that had a flat surface that could contain dust. I feel better now (I really don’t like dusting). Now I’ve had my cinnamon raisin toast and am enjoying a cup of hot chocolate and that will conclude my breakfast and will likely be the biggest meal that I read today. I seem to have reached a plateau in my weight loss so I need to nudge it a little bit. The weather today is a little bit iffy so I most likely will find other things to take care of in house. I hope y’all have a wonderful weekend!

It's monsoon time, the rains are here for the day.

I awoke to the sound of rain this morning, that Peter Pan or of the raindrops hitting the roof was a soothing and gentle sound and almost made me wish I could stay in bed. But life being what life is, I got up and got dressed and headed down to McDonald’s for coffee. Myron was there, all worried that it was Saturday so I had to remind them it was only Friday. He is very nervous about leaving for China. I assured him, everything would be fine. At about 8:10 AM Maria was ready to have breakfast so I joined her and we chatted as we do almost every morning. She’s a wonderful lady and a good friend. I asked her to be gentle with Nora and she laughed and said she would. Actually, she is more like a mother to Nora then an aunt. Back home now, cleaned up the kitchen made some cinnamon raisin toast and hot chocolate for breakfast and have a load in the washer. This is definitely a stay in the house day. I hope you can all find things to do inside as the outside is not all that appealing.

Cool and cloudy and brisk...

Awoke about 5:55am and called my honey to wish her good night. She is doing well Off to McDonald's for coffee then to the Senior center to deliver meals... I had 16 again today... Back home now and needed to turn on the heater... 63˚ in the house is not warm enough for me today. I will do my laundry this afternoon and hopefully get the cartridges for the printer also.

Well it is a very very damp Wednesday today...

I woke up when the phone went off this morning I had the alarm set so that I could call Nora and of course wish her a good night sleep as she was just getting ready to go to bed. It’s wet and cold and dark and all the things that you would typically expect in Oregon on a fall morning. I went down to McDonald’s and had coffee and then realized I'd forgotten my wallet so I came back home and got that then went down to City Hall to turn in my letter of request for jury duty. And after that I stopped at the post office and bought 10 stamps for my mail that goes to the Philippines. It was nice talking to Nora this morning, she really likes to hear the sound of my voice before she goes to bed, the nice thing is I like to hear the sound of hers when I first wake up. Do I sound a little bit like a lovesick cow? Maybe it’s because I am. May God bless each and everyone of you and hope you have a great day today and for those of you who must venture out try to stay warm and above all be safe.

Today is Tuesday the last that deliver until Thursday.

Up about 5 AM this morning it’s Ashley 5:30 AM now and thought I’d catch up on little stuff on the computer before I head down to McDonald’s for coffee. I sent Nora the notice from Filipino visa service that I received last night notifying me that they had forwarded our package to the USCIS. Well ladies and gentlemen the only thing left to do now is wait, absolutely the hardest part of the whole equation but I’m sure we’ll manage. Hope y’all have a lovely day.

Overcast again today with the possibility of rain.

I woke this morning a little bit before 6 AM and called Nora to wish her a happy and a good night sleep. It was wonderful talking to her even though it was just for a few moments. She did get a letter yesterday her father, thought it was for him unfortunately his has not yet arrived. It is my hope that his letter will arrive yet this week in any case I resent the e-mail to Nora that contained a copy of the letter so if he doesn’t get it via snail mail, he will get it from her. After coffee I went down to the senior center to deliver meals, I only had 16 clients today which is fine. After that back home and had some bread and peanut butter for lunch. I got an e-mail from MacSpeech and they told me that the problem that I was having was already documented as resulting from the use of text expander. I disabled text expander to type this message and have had zero errors. Life is good once again. I most likely will not talk to Nora today however, I will call her in the morning once again to wish her a good evening sleep. Isn’t love just the cutest thing though?

It is a dreary and wet Sunday

I awoke this morning to an overcast sky and rainy weather although it was just a very light mist this morning. The forecast is for more rain this afternoon so my day will be relegated to inside the house. Today I believe I will vacuum and probably dust the house something I haven’t done since before I left for Korea. Other than that I don’t have any particular plans. To those of you who may have to venture out I suggest taking an umbrella.

Up with the alarm this morning, it is warm outside and no rain yet...

It is a little overcast this morning however the storm but they projected as my yet appeared. I arrived at McDonald’s for copy this morning at about 6:40 AM. I stayed there till about 8:30 AM and chatted with Marie of coarse. Back home now and having a couple of pieces of toast and some hot chocolate for breakfast and will soon check my e-mail. It would appear to be a good day to stay inside and enjoy the warmth. I hope you all have a good Saturday...

Today is Friday its not bad outside but there's a big storm brewing

I woke this morning about 5 AM and got up got a few things done around here and then decided to go down to McDonald’s for coffee. Ralph was already there and I stuck around until Maria could have breakfast . On the way back home I decided to go to mega Mart and buy some milk and hot chocolate. I stripped the bed and have the sheets washing as we speak and as soon as they are done I will commence with doing the other laundry that needs done. And after that I intend to vacuum and most likely dust the house. I probably will not speak to Nora today, but I will call her tomorrow night which will be her Sunday morning. Hope you’re all enjoying the day, I will be inside with the heat on and folding laundry. See you!

A Little bit rainy but really not a bad day

I had my alarm clock set for 5:30 AM this morning, so when I woke up I decided to call Nora and wish her a good evenings sleep, she was delightfully surprised. I then proceeded down to McDonald’s in time to see Jack. I informed him of my trip to Korea and also my decision to go to the Philippines early next year. He seemed happy that I had a good time. From there it was off to the senior center to deliver meals, I only had 16 clients today, Roxie called in and canceled hers. Before I went to the senior center I took Sean’s birthday card and also Joyce’s birthday card and mailed them at the post office. This is my Friday hope you all enjoyed your Thursday. I have no plans that involve leaving the house.

'tis a very blustery and typical fall day

I slept very well last night, when I awoke this morning it was to a very windy although not very cold fall morning. For me it is a welcome sight because I enjoy the fall weather, the briskness in the air and the freshness that it brings. At about 8 AM I went down to McDonald’s to have coffee and found only a few of the normal group there. There was an electrician there replacing the ballasts in some of the fluorescent fixtures. At about 9:30 AM I decided to come back home. I hope each of you enjoy this beautiful weather, I am certain that the stormy weather will be here before we know it and it won’t be long and we will be wishing there were gone.

I just received a 'text' msg from my ex-wife letting me know that Ralphy, our Golden retriever had died in his sleep... she said that he went peacefully and for that I am eternally grateful... I don't believe a nicer dog has ever lived. He was over 15 years old.

It is cold outside today and overcast...

I woke this morning to the shrill sound of the alarm clock. It was 6:30 AM and as I rose from bed, I noticed it was quite cold in the bedroom. I went down to McDonald’s for coffee with my friends at about 8 AM I drove out to Wal-Mart and made copies of the decrees that were needed by the Filipina visa service. From there I went to the post office and sent them certified mail. That was the only thing left to do before they would forward my package to the USCIS For Processing. Myron Will Be Coming over about 3 PM. He wants me to help him buy tickets for his trip to China. I told him all he needs to bring with him is the dates that he wants to travel and a valid credit card. My day is wonderful and I hope your day is also wonderful make the most of it cause once it’s gone it’s only a memory.

A very chilly Monday

I woke this morning to a very chilly day the temperature was about 28.5° but the weather was fair perhaps a little bit overcast. I stayed at McDonald’s till about 9:00 AM then went to Meals on Wheels to deliver meals for my clients. After deliveries I stopped at the Lebanon school District to find out what I could about getting Joyce and Kenneth enrolled in school when they get here. They will probably require some type of assessment test to find out where they will need to be placed. Back home and had a message from Filipino visa services, they now require complete copies of each divorce judgment. I will need to get those for both Diann and Venita. I called the courthouse but the clerk I need to talk to won't be there until tomorrow. I will be there at 1 PM tomorrow to get the required paperwork.

I checked with the Filipina Visa Service and they told me the rest of the package looked great and upon receipt of the decrees they will forward to the USCISf for processing. Life is lookin good now... Just another Day in Dodge.

Another pretty sunday...

Up about 7am and then to McDonald's for coffee with the guys. Stayed till a little after 9am then off to MegaFoods for some pepper and a 9v battery. Dropped $15 for those two items... my, how prices have shot up since the last time I bought pepper... of course, I like the course ground so it is a little more. Less grinding, more cost??? Anyway, a beautiful day awaits those who would venture out.. I hope my friend in Corvallis doesn’t have to sleep thru it as I know she loves the sunshine. May God bless all.

It is a beautiful Saturday morning

I woke up a little bit later this morning it was about 8:05 AM then I decided to go to McDonald’s for coffee. About 9:15 AM I came back home. There is a dog that lives behind me and for some reason it is just barking and barking and barking. I don’t know if the neighbors are gone or what but I wish something would happen to that dog. I checked my mail and looked around at a few of the sites on the Internet and now I have a load of laundry washing in the washing machine when that is finished and dried I will fold it and put away. I believe that I will mow the grass in the backyard today as it is getting much taller than I like. And besides that I believe that the rain is projected for the future. Hoping that each of you has a wonderful weekend, see you later...

This is Friday and a very beautiful day.

This is quite a beautiful day, the sun is out, and the sky is nice and blue and I just got back from walking around downtown Lebanon. As I was walking I was thinking about my conversation with Nora last night at the Internet café. I said and did some things that probably in retrospect I would not do again. At times when I pray to God I think of how lucky I am that he provided me with such a wonderful woman and it is at times hard for me to realize that we don’t communicate as clearly as we should and that problem is because of the language differences. But all in all I must say we do rather well. Each time that I speak to her I miss her more. Waiting for things has never ever been my strong suit and it continues to be a weak area. But thanks to my belief and the strength of my belief in God I am getting better at it. I do pray that each and every one of you can enjoy this beautiful day that our Lord has provided for us.

Another day in the valley...

I woke up about 4:45 this morning and Text'd Nora that I love her... no answer but I am sure she didn’t have her phone with her anyway... it is late evening there. Went to McDonald's and had coffee as usual, I chatted with Marie as she had breakfast and she told me that she had written an email to Nora... I am glad that they communicate well. Off to deliver meals now, in the fog.

Chilly this morning what a beautiful day all in all.

Well my friends I went down to McDonald’s and had coffee this morning and from there I came home and proceeded to start putting together the package for the visa fiancée service. After making it to Wal-Mart and getting the copying done I came back home and put everything together then took it down to the Federal Express office and sent it off. It’s out of my hands now it will be delivered to the fiancée visa service by 1 PM tomorrow. The copying a Wal-Mart only cost me $3.50 for over 50 copies and it cost me $26 to send the package via Federal Express. But now the only thing left to do is wait and make sure that my package is correct and then the only processing left will be by Nora on her end. All I can say is wow! Other later today I will put together an identical package and store it away for future use should I happen to need it. That was a suggestion by the fiancée visa service. Anyway to each and all of you I wish a happy day and a lovely warm afternoon.

Today is the most beautiful sunny day and the temperatures are not bad

I awoke this morning at about 1:30 AM got up and checked my mail on the computer and was back in bed by 2:30 AM and then didn’t wake up again until 8:30 AM. Perhaps the jet lag thing is finally over. I did not stop at McDonald’s to have coffee this morning but rather went straight to the senior center and had coffee there. I had 17 deliveries today and after I finished my deliveries I stopped at megamart And they had Gala apples on sale for $.58 a pound so I bought a bag of 10 apples and also bought three of the six packs of the many Pepsi cans. Not too much going on today-to talk to Nora tonight about 6 pm and will probably chat for a couple of hours. Hope you all enjoy the day it looks to me like the weather for the next week will be absolutely gorgeous.

Good Lord, is it really this early???

While I can’t believe it’s this early. I went to bed and slept really well last night until about 3:30 AM this morning. I woke up thinking about Nora and wishing that I were with her but realizing of course that I have other things that I must take care of first. Complications delays and matters of the heart they all tend to disrupt my thinking pattern. Oh well it will all come together in good time. Falling in love with this woman has changed my entire life and my outlook on so many things and I must admit most of them are for the better. I will deliver meals today and must also drop off my September mileage list. I will stop at Safeway and check on the Western Union prices for sending money to Daet. I’m not suppose to send any money until November. Anyway I will make the most of today and I hope you all do the same thing. Take care and God bless.

Sunday, cold, dreary... typical valley fall day.

I awoke this morning early about 5 AM and then decided to go back to sleep for a while and woke up again at 7 AM. At that time I got up and went down to McDonald’s to have coffee. I stayed there until about 8:45 AM then came home. I probably will not hear from Norah today until later on this evening when it will be about 9 AM in Daet. She will then be at the Internet café on a rented computer. I am excited about the possible return oversees in January at which time I will potentially stay for two months. It will give me the opportunity to meet her family both close and distant relatives and experience the Filipino culture up close and personal. My very best wishes to those of you who read this blog I hope you have a most wonderful Sunday. I will see you tomorrow.

Saturday... rain looms.

Up early, it is just now 5:30. Down to McDonald's for coffee with the crew... I stayed there till 9am so I could talk to Maria a little bit, told her of my plans to go to Philippines after the 1st of the year and spend a couple of months with Nora and the family. I feel better today, the cough is still around, but later today I may go to Wal★Mart and get some cough drops. Have a wonderful day everyone...

Overcast and rainy would be the forecast for this day.

I slept thru the night, the Nyquil really knocks me out. Didn’t rise until almost 9am then went to McDonald's and got some coffee then down to the dog for biscuits and gravy. I gave Terry a magnet from Korea. Back home now and don’t have much planned except for folding the last of the clothes I washed yesterday. I hope the birth certificates and Jimmie’s death certificate come so I can submit the visa package for Nora and I. Have yourselves a grand old day..

Thursday and the last work day of the week now.

Up at 2:30, messed with the computer for a bit then back to bed and tossed and turned till 4:30 and got up, showered dressed and waited till 6:15 to hit McDonald’s. Everyone happy I was back so that was nice, off to deliver meals, Tori told me that an oldtime delvivery driver returned and will have my route Fridays so I am back to 3 days a week. Back home by 11:20 and finishing up the laundry and waiting for Nora to come online at noon. Have a good day everyone.