Soloing It Across The Pond!

I gave lots of hints.

But I couldn't tell you what or when or where!

Well, it's not you--it's all those potential burglars

out there!

It began Saturday, October 24, 2015.

At 6:00 P.M. I took off for London Heathrow.

I arrived at 8:00 A.M. London time,

which was 2:00 A.M. my body's time.

Here I am approaching London.

I did not know until a few minutes ago

what I caught in this first picture.

 Giddy with excitement even now!

More later!
*You'll want to look back at this picture! 
I still can't believe it!

 Isn't it beautiful?

I stayed at a lovely hotel--the

Marriott Grosvenor House.

 This is actually the back at night!

But I didn't get the front in daytime!

A very small room for one person was available

when I arrived (by 10:00 A.M.).

I took it but resisted the temptation to nap.

Instead I walked a very short distance

to the Marble Arch stop of the big red buses!

Here's my view from the top deck.

Incidentally, this is the very first time I

have ridden one of these buses!

I took the red route all the way around without

disembarking at any of the famous stops.

I think I dozed off a few times!

But this was the perfect thing to do in my

tired state!

I should stop here and tell you about my plans

for London.

I had only the remainder of this first day and

one more complete day.

My goals:

1.  Ride the red double decker buses.

2.  Ride the London Eye.

 3.  Go to the theatre.

4.  Tour Kensington Palace.

5.  Tour Westminster Abbey.

(Because the time we toured Westminster we had

a guide who gave us non-stop facts, to the

point I didn't feel like I saw it.)

6.  Go to Selfridge's department store.

 (I had watched all 3 seasons of Mr. Selfridge on PBS
in preparation!)

So here's a picture of #2 from #1!

This is a pretty cool picture of Big Ben 

framed by the London Eye,

courtesy of our bus driver!

See you tomorrow, Eye!

I rode a second route, the blue one, on the red bus.

I saw Kensington Palace and scoped out its

location for tomorrow, too!

I had done lots of studying up for this trip, so

when I returned to the hotel I got directions

to Selfridge's.

I knew it was only a few blocks from
the Marriott Grosvenor House.

Here's my only proof that I hoofed it over and back!

 Well, that and this:

I made it back "home" safely and fell into
my itty bitty bed in my itty bitty room
totally exhausted.


Monday morning I had a mahvelous "free" breakfast
at the hotel!

Then, it was on to Goal #2--the London Eye.
The concierge suggested that I buy my ticket there
at the hotel.  I bought the fast pass, which
was such a good suggestion!
The regular "queue" was horrendous.
I, Linda Jane Lynn Stovall, just fast passed right by.

This was really #1 for me--Check!
Not a musuem, but a ferris wheel...
extremely redneck, Linda!
*Now do you see how excited I was when I saw
that first picture I took from the plane?
I actually got the London Eye,
even though I did not see it at the time!
And even though I always miss the good stuff!
Will wonders never cease!



I'm gettin' good by now.  Spotted how to get to
my bus from the Eye, walked there, and
rode to Kensington Palace.

 

This is the gate where all the flowers were placed
when Diana died.

 This is a lovely lake, but the animal lover didn't
do it justice!

 If it looks like I wore the same thing the whole
time I was in London, it's because I did.
If I hadn't thrown in my "blardigan"
(half cardigan-half blanket)
(thanks, Pinterest Told Me To!)
I would have frozen to death!
I came prepared for rain and there was
nary a drop!
But it was chillier than I anticipated!


Back home to gussy up for the theatre.
This should have been my #1.
I went to see Les Mis for the first time
at a theatre in London (Queen's)
for the first time.
Not enough adjectives to describe the thrill.


I took a taxi from the hotel.

 

The theatre was very large--two balconies.

 But that redneck girl from Texas was on the
third row center!!!
I've never enjoyed anything more.


It's over and...
 I've never had to hail a cab and was a bit concerned.
Is it available if the light is on or if it's off?
My driver told me on the way there, and I'd
already forgotten...
when a bicycle cab stopped near me.
For me, I decided.
It looked like fun.  It really was!


Here we are on Oxford Street passing Selfridge's
and other famous stores.

The driver.
 

 The passenger.

Christmas Decorations Overhead

Selfridge's

For Jay and Terri!
 

Famous!

The perfect ending to a perfect day!

Now you may notice that there was one thing

on my list which is not mentioned.

Here is why:

 That is just part of the "queue" at

Westminster Abbey.

We may have had to listen to endless facts

from our guide last time we were here,

but he was a 25 year veteran of the

London police force and took us in the

back door!

Hmm.  Without that special kind of

"fast pass" I don't believe I'll be going! 

I have never spent any amount of time alone in a

strange city before.

I did get slightly cool if not cold feet before I went.

But...

I did great! 

I can't wait to do it again,

the Lord willing! 

Tomorrow I start back across the pond.
Only this time it takes days, 
not hours! 
Hope you'll join me!

Reflections of a Serious Nature

I have been reluctant to blog about

My Exclamation Point Life

lately.

It seems shallow for me to blather on about

frivolous matters when so many of my friends

have exclamation points of a decidedly

different nature in their lives right now.

There are serious illnesses,

some affecting those much too young,

temporary situations with long term effects,

life-altering lasting situations,

seemingly impossible financial hardships.

God did say that in this life we would have difficulties.

"...in the world you have tribulation." John 16:33
 

...but

 In this relatively problem free period

in my life,

I find it even harder to accept that

some seem to have an "unfair share" 

(my human perspective)

of problems.

And in some cases I spring into action

to try to help solve the problems,

even though I realize only the mighty God Himself,

the Creator and Sustainer of this universe,

can solve them.

ONLY HE CAN AND IN HIS TIME.

In that same verse quoted above, God says,

"...but be of good cheer.  I have overcome the world."

Yes, you've read the outcome--the final chapter's

final words, right there!

God wins!

But I want you to know--if you're reading

this and you're one of those friends--

I hurt for you.

I do not understand why my life at this time

is so blessed.

In no way am I deserving.

I never want to appear to take anything for granted.

I abhor the thought of being entitled.
And please give me the old stink eye or
knock me up the side of the head
if I appear to be a braggadocio. 


I am not hinting for any compliments here.

 I have gone through difficult periods

in my life,  

but my past difficulties seem as nothing when

compared to some of your current ones. 

I am never unaware for one moment that
everything can change in a second--
the blink of an eye.
But remember,
our time on this earth is like a breath.
A vapor. 
What matters is that we are moving toward
a home in Glory, where...


When we've been there 10,000 years,
Bright, shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise,
Than when we first begun. 


 

  

 

What Happened To Me Yesterday

I became a person whose granddaughters 

will not have to say,

"Can I whisper something in your good ear, Mimi?"

I won't be rotating my head 180 degrees so

that I can hear you if you're sitting on my right!

I got a new right ear!!!

Background...

Many (like at least 20) years ago

I told Jack he just must have his hearing tested.

He said he would--if I would, too.

I didn't need to (!), but

I agreed, just to get him there.

We went to Jones Hearing Aids in Fort Worth.

I was tested first, and then the needy one.

When the technician finished, he couldn't wait

to ask me,

"How long have you had this hearing loss in your

right ear?"

I told him I didn't realize that I did.

Because my hearing was so good in my left

ear, I didn't realize that I was down then

to about 50% in my right.

He was able to determine that my loss was

conductive (as opposed to nerve)

and said a hearing aid would not help.

I returned to him at a later date, with the

same advice given.

I later went to an ENT, who said risky surgery

was the only option--still "no" to a hearing aid.

Oh, and by the by--the needy one did not get

 hearing aids either! 

I think his was a selective nerve loss.  

It seemed to be the pitch and range of my

voice that he couldn't hear!

Earlier this year I met a doctor who had a

hearing aid.

He told me that his loss was conductive, like mine,

 and that the aid helped immensely.

I began to vigorously pursue having my

hearing tested again.

Maybe it's because I've waited so long, or

maybe it's just because I'm excitable me,

but,

I am over the moon beside myself thrilled.

I got one hearing aid yesterday.

I feel like I can hear better now out of my "aided"

ear than I can out of my "normal" ear.

Sounds are clear.

Sounds are crisp!

The first thing I heard was paper crinkling 

when the girl was checking me out.

Yes...I actually said,

"Did you just crinkle paper?!"

Evidently my good ear would not have picked

that sound up.

Then I heard the clip of my own footsteps, leaving.

I went to get a pedicure and was shocked

to hear the water swishing in the tub to my right! 

Eerily swishing!

Also not picked up by good ear.

I hear Charleigh-Girl panting to the right 

of my recliner.

Everything I worried about has not panned out.

I DO NOT feel claustrophobic with the

little thing in my ear.

I had dinner at Cracker Barrel with the

bridge group, and the background

noise sounded totally normal to me.

But...the most quiet voice in our group

sat to my right (ordinarily a nightmare),

and I didn't have to ask her to repeat

ONE TIME!

I'm having a bit of trouble not lamenting over

the years I could have enjoyed this improvement.

My doctor said I am actually an ideal

candidate for one hearing aid. 

She cannot imagine why I was told otherwise.

Not one to waste time on regret, however, I

have to think that I would not appreciate it as

much as I do now had I gotten it earlier.

I realize, as usual, that I have an abundance of

blessings.

I still have one ear with normal hearing--

very unusual, I imagine.

I am able to have the best in care, for which

I could not be more grateful.

God led me, on a circuitous path as usual,

to the right doctor who was able to

fit me to perfection.

Her name, incidentally, is

Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, with Audiology Associates.

One of the funniest things about this is:

Elizabeth handed me a mirror right away to

show me how invisible my hearing aid is.

I wanted to reassure myself that it really

couldn't be seen!

Hmmm...and here I am proudly announcing

 to the world that I have it!

Yes, there is something wrong with this picture!

So, Maddie and Susie, please save up

something good to whisper in my "bad" ear

next time I see you.

That will be the ultimate, and most important, test.

Somehow I don't think it will be,

"Can we go to Toys 'R Us?"

like it used to be!

Prepare to be Amazed at my Winner!

Yes!!!!!!

It wasn't even very close!!!!!

The winner guessed within

$33!!!

 and...she was the very first, brave one to

venture a guess!!!

The winner is: 

***CONNIE LENZ***

The value of all the items totaled

$2,702

Connie's guess was

$2,735

 A difference of...only

$33!!!

My advice to Connie is to fly to California

as soon as possible 

and try out for The Price is Right !

You've got some kind of special gift, girl!

Thanks to all of you who took a shot.

Frankly, I gathered it all, arranged and rearranged

it all, and tallied it all...

And I still would have had no idea what to guess!

I love it that Connie said,

"My guess is $2735 for the retail of your

bargain $100 purchase,"

highlighting the magnitude of my savings!!!

CONGRATULATIONS, CONNIE!!!   

 

A Bargain Lover's Dream

I had the time of my life...

And I owe it all to you, Gene Allen's Hallmark!

Last Friday was the annual brown bag sale.

For $20 anything from the sale aisle that you can

place cram in a big brown paper bag is yours!

There's also a $10 size bag--for shopping wimps. 

I got there shortly after the store opened this year.

Last year I was later and only filled two bags.

This year...are you ready for this...

FIVE (5) BAGS!

Let me show you what I got!

I don't really like my pictures, but I'm too

pooped to redo them!

This was one of a kind--has fringe on bottom.

  Those are flip flops in the center.

The pale green is one of 12 sleeveless shells

in a variety of pretty colors.
(See them fanned out underneath?)

And then there are things for kids and etc. things.

There are books, sunglasses, a mini crockpot,
 a raccoon who used to do something
 but doesn't now so therefore

goes in my Christmas animal collection, 

a beautiful flower candle ring, 
60 Caspari napkins,

insulated drinking cups, etc.

Oh, and the nicest recipe box!
And Nemo and Miss Piggy candles that work! 

So I guess you may be wondering what I'm going

to do with children's books and sleeveless shells.

It will all go to Mission Arlington for their

Christmas store.

The children who participate in MA's apartment

ministry get to choose something for their

mothers, and I'm hoping some of the things I

got will be perfect for that!
There are also teenagers who come to shop
and need some choices!

One exception is the sunglasses.

They will go in Samaritan's Purse boxes for

older children in
Operation Christmas Child.

Another exception is this: 

It's a nice linen tea towel which

I hardly think is appropriate for me to hang

 on my never used oven door!

In fact, there just isn't much desperation about

my housewifery!

So...I'm mulling over just who will get this!

Okay...here's what I got:

47 ladies tops

13 necklaces

7 pairs earrings

4 scarves

14 pairs flip flops (pretty cute)

25 children's books

8 sunglasses

5 insulated golf/fishing cups

Plus all the miscellaneous

It has taken me all evening, but guess what?

I added up the original prices of all this merchandise.

Remembering that this is Hallmark stuff,

nice and high quality,

all five bags almost too heavy for me to lift,

how would you like to guess the original value?

Well...

I am offering a $50 Gene Allen's gift card

to the person who can come the closest to guessing

 the original cost of all these items!

My only hint:

Last year I spent $43 on two bags,

including tax.

The original cost was about $724, plus tax!!!

and

This year I got much more clothing...???

And much more everything!

You can leave your guess on my Facebook page.

I'll wait a couple of days to give everyone

a chance to see this and make their guess. 

Whew!

I've got to go to bed.

I feel like it's Christmas Eve and I've arranged

Santa Claus's delivery under the tree!

To all a "Good Night!"

***My usual reminder--Click on the {not so good}

Pictures to make them bigger!***

An Amazing Airlift Off The Anthem!

 I stumbled across this story today on

Cruise Critic.com.

CC is a huge site which has all sorts of information

about cruising.

There are "threads" for the different lines,

and I was looking at Royal Caribbean's.

There was one which was entitled,

"Airlifted off Anthem,"

and was posted by a member called newchappers.

The Anthem of the Seas is RC's

latest and greatest (but not largest) ship.

(That I might or might not be getting

ready to try out!)

The poster's father became very ill onboard

earlier today, and the Anthem was at sea.

Since immediate medical evacuation was needed,

it was necessary to helicopter the patient

off the ship.

Newchappers said there were lots of people taking

pictures of the rescue, and she was

hoping to be able to get some of the photos.

(Cruise Critic is quite a vast network of 

cruisers--over 1 million--so it would be a great place to

make contact with other passengers on the ship.)

It amazed me that the picture taking had been permitted.

 Jack and I were on a ship

which had a helicopter evacuation.

Quite different from this one, we were asked--

no, really implored--to stay away from the

helipad and even from the areas of the ship

which had any view of the pad.

I feel like the victim in that case must have

been deceased instead of ill.

Well...I'm tellin' you Cruise Critic is one big

network of cruisers.

One hour and 15 minutes after the original post,

 a member called Frank1959 posted that he had

found a video, FILMED BY THE RESCUERS,

of the airlift!

I have goosebumps as I type this.

Incredibly, here it is:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRd3ocKx2D4

 

Later posts from newchappers reveal that they are

from the United Kingdom.

The daughter, who is very afraid of flying, was

also picked up and said

 "it was very traumatic being 'winched off'

the ship."

The father is in an induced coma in a hospital in 

Lisbon, Portugal. 

I've just never seen anything quite like this.

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have made it to the hospital!

Bless the heart of that man riding alongside!

And be sure to notice, as someone pointed out

in a comment,

that there are flotation devices on the bottom

of the stretcher!!! 

P.S.  My Cruise Critic name is Cruisin' Mimi.

Just in case you want to know.