Disappointment

It is Saturday, September 25 - the day of the Big Dam Bridge 100 bicycle ride - and we didn't. After a good start at riding in 2008 and a great year of riding in 2009, 2010 has been hard. Two years ago we rode 32 miles in the Tour de Possum in Texarkana, the Big Dam Bridge in Little Rock and the Mission to Mission Tour in San Antonio. In 2009, we rode 30-40 in Ride with the Eagles in Mt. Pleasant, TX, 55 miles in the BDB, and 62 in the Tour da' Delta in Helena. In January, John had stent surgery and started a beta-blocker. But it was January and we weren't worried. Then came dealing with the frozen pipes, termites, work issues, unexpected changes in weekend routines, issues with John's knee, a change in my beta-blocker, and then the crowning blow - my Achilles Tendon. After taking it easy, ice, and a round of meds, it was time to move forward. A trip to an ankle specialist last week yielded the good news that surgery was not appropriate yet but the treatment is ice, rest, stretching, Advil, and SLOW/FLAT riding. I was already concerned that I wasn't prepared to ride even 32 miles, but I just knew that somehow I could pull it off. But that was - without the Achilles Tendon. That ended all chances. My dear husband refused to ride without me because we do rides together and that helped greatly. But it is still a hard day.....

Where has the summer gone?

I know that the date is only August 11 and officially there are many days left in the summer - BUT - in a school district, summers end when the teachers return. Teachers report tomorrow for the first day of Professional Development and kids start next Thursday. I had great plans for this summer. I just knew that - this year - everything from the previous year would be properly filed and new files would be ready for the coming year. Nothing would be left undone. I would be rested and ready for the new year. Well - NOT - on all of it.

So - to reflect on the summer. John retired in June and moved to Sherwood so we could actually be husband and wife in the same house. Great idea and we are loving it. We attended a great conference in Denver the last week in June and then followed it with a wonderful vacation in northern New Mexico the first week in July. We got in lots of good bicycle riding, saw incredible mountains, art, fireworks, plus much more and had a wonderful time. I was off for 2 consecutive weeks for the first time since around 1992. Betty and I moved offices and I threw away a LOT of stuff (so I have less that is not filed.) Much work has been done on our home in Hope. Our children are going through hard times to varying degrees, but we have gotten to see more of them than usual and that is very good. My niece, Teresa, had major cancer surgery and my sister-in-law had foot surgery. My niece, Amy, got her first teaching job. I finally got to visit Pawhuska, OK, which is the original home of my mother's family. John and I visited Jenn in Pawhuska while she was doing a 2 week internship with a local vet. Work is far crazier than I can ever remember and I am exhausted and that is all I will say on that subject.

It has been a mostly great summer and I've made it through the rest of the stuff - or at least I'm getting there. Ready or not - the new year starts TOMORROW!

Our Wedding - March 20, 2010

March 20, 2010 - a day I could not dream of finally arrived and it was wonderful. Our blessed event was held at The Edwardian Inn in Helena. Friday morning the 19th was crazy with many errands to do before we could leave town. But make it we did and the trip and it's accompanying anticipation were wonderful. John and I arrived at the Inn along with John's son, Chris and my daughter, Jennifer. We were followed later in the day by the pastor and his wife. We spent the afternoon decorating with ivy garlands, hurricane lamps, a beautiful wreath, and candles. Chris and Jenn spent time preparing a wonderful Italian dinner and getting to know each other. We had a mini-rehearsal and enjoyed the great dinner shared with our friends, Lynn and Dana, and Kaye and Bill. Decorating continued on Saturday morning and soon everything was ready. I didn't really allow enough time to get ready so I had to really rush around. That didn't leave enough time for Jenn to get to do my hair with the mini-veil and comb that we had planned for but it was OK. Everyone went downstairs, leaving John and I a couple of minutes before our cue to head down the stairs. The next few moments flew by with my attention focused only on John and soon I became Mrs. John King. Wow - even now that is an amazing thing. We were quickly surrounded by family and friends. Our reception was beautiful - the food was wonderful - lots of pictures were taken and it was so fun to be sharing everything with most of those nearest and dearest to our hearts. We were missing a few family members and close friends but that just had to be OK. The rest of our time at the Edwardian Inn passed so quickly and Sunday morning arrived. Family headed to their respective homes and we left for our honeymoon in Pensacola.

OK - so I am behind...

To put it very mildly, I have let this blogging thing get very bogged down. Big things have happened in my life and I have yet to write a single word. The biggest and best - without a doubt - is my now 3-month old marriage. I guess I have been busy living the life instead of writing about it. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it certainly isn't what I had in mind when I started this process. Now that I have logged in and admitted my defeat - I'm ready to post some things that have happened - are happening - and are yet to come. However - this minute - I am off to do that awful thing called tanning in a vain attempt to even the bad tan lines from cycling. John and I are leaving for a 12-day trip to Colorado and New Mexico and I would like for my legs to be the same color inside and out and for my hands and arms to match. Silly me.....

Singing

John and Maggie LOVE to sing. When John doesn't start the process - Maggie does. You know Snoopy on the doghouse - with head thrown back and the O's coming out of his mouth - yep that's Maggie. She loves to sing and John loves to encourage her. I sit by and laugh like crazy. The more I laugh - the more they sing. You gotta love it!

Snow Days

We weren't supposed to get much snow and I didn't expect any at all. I went to bed on Sunday night - February 7 - without even considering that I might need to check the roads on Monday morning. I woke up around 3:00 and tossed and turned until Maggie needed to go out at 4:30. To my amazement, the ground was covered. By 4:40, I had received an email that school was closed. As a 12-month employee, I had to report to work anyway. In spite of the snow and sleet, I made it to work safely. Around 11:15, the superintendent decided to send us home because the roads were getting really bad. Daddy was in town for a doctor's appointment and by that time, had made it safely back to the house. We spent a great afternoon entering his family tree on Ancestry.com, looking at old photos, and cooking. The snow was beautiful and I took some pictures without getting out in it. I always walk around in the snow but this snow was heavy and wet - which made for good coverage and great snowman making - but wet clothes pretty quickly. When all was said and done, the schools were closed through Wednesday and federal court was canceled on Monday and Tuesday.

What a week it was...

I anticipated having a hard week the week of January 25. I knew I would be testifying in federal court in the district's unitary status hearing. After 20+ years under court supervision in a federal desegregation case, it was our time to move forward with release. I was prepared, but anxious, as the thought of cross-examination didn't thrill my heart. Little did I know on Sunday morning, January 24, that court would only be part of my week. Early afternoon on the 24th, John and I decided to brave colds temps and a stiff breeze to ride our bikes. We parked on the North Little Rock side of the river and layered on the clothes. We rode across the Junction Bridge, through the River Market, around the Clinton Library and the Heifer Village, and through town to the Riverdale area. We were riding directly into the wind and I noticed John was riding slower than normal. He pulled over and before I could tease him, I realized that something was seriously wrong. He was gray - having chest pains - shortness of breath - and was sweating profusely in spite of the cold. He wouldn't let me call 911 and wanted me to return to the car - leaving him alone in a parking lot. That was out of the question. I called Betty to pick me up. By the time Betty got there, he was better so I left long enough to get the car and get back to him. We loaded bicycles and went home. No luck getting him to the doctor, but I was able to convince him to stay at my house until Monday so he could see Dr. Tilley. The next 4 days were crazy - with doctors and hospital and tests and stents being co-mingled with court and testifying and cross-examination. For John - Monday was very high blood pressure (198-110) and meds - Tuesday was a physical, failed stress test, and appointment with a cardiologist - Wednesday was a heart cath, 3 blockages, 3 stents, and a night in the hospital - and Thursday was getting out of the hospital.

John's heart before the stents. Notice - blood, then almost no blood, in 3 areas. Scary stuff!

For me, Monday was a full day in court and a full day of concern that I was in court and not with John - Tuesday was being with John for all of the tests - Wednesday was split, early AM with John at the hospital, a full day of testifying, and spending the night at the hospital - Thursday was getting John home and then another half-day on the stand.

We were very blessed. John did not have a heart attack. The 3 stents worked well from the start, restoring the blood flow. He did not have any complications and the prognosis is wonderful. I survived court.

Catching Up

Wow - far too much time has passed since my last post. Instead of trying to do multiple posts, I'm going to hit the high points and get it done. First and MOST important - the date for my wedding is March 20 - 60 days and counting. We are getting married at the Edwardian Inn in Helena.

The Edwardian Inn

We will be accompanied by our family and closest friends and that is so very important to both of us. My older sister and her family will not be attending. That hurts my heart more than I can express, but I can't change it and it will not ruin our day.

November and December were both very busy months. In November we did a lot of organizing at what will be our home in Hope, traveled to Helena where we rode our bicycles 62 miles in the Tour da' Delta, and celebrated a quiet Thanksgiving in Sherwood. Marcia came down from Rogers to celebrate with us. John's Thanksgiving was very different than times past because all of his previous holidays had involved a large extended family. With the loss of his precious Mom in March, it has changed and his sisters stayed home with their immediate families.

John at the Tour da' Delta

The Mississippi River bridge on Highway 49 is LONG and steep. Have I mentioned I hate bridges - even in a car - and on a bicycle - well - it was BAD.

December was even busier. We decorated 2 houses for Christmas, attended the Nutcracker Ballet, visited kids and grandkids in Louisiana and Missouri, went to a Razorback basketball game, and did more organizing!

Christmas morning at Jenn's house in Missouri.

and on New Year's weekend - we RESTED!!

Blessings ~ Letitia