Thursday, August 29, 2013

We're on Our Way

For some odd reason, I awoke this morning with the lyrics from a song from the old movie Paint Your Wagon rolling around in my head... 


Where am I goin'?
I don't know.
Where am I headin'?
I ain't certain. 
All I know 
Is I am on my way.

When will I be there?
I don't know.
When will I get there?
I ain't certain.
All that I know 
Is I am on my way.

Gotta dream boy;
Gotta song.
Paint your wagon
And come along...

We've found our theme song for this vacation.  We're setting our compass based on weather maps (the cooler, the better) and clear mountain lakes.  We have no itinerary or particular agenda other than visiting family in Tulsa and Rolla.  From there, the wind will blow us west...

I am pleased to announce that Roxanne has held up well in spite of today's eight-hour drive.  She's a bit stiff, but what a trooper... she even climbed a set of steep stairs this evening (probably to impress the dogs belonging to David's brother).  

It is so great to be on our way!!!

Just in case you haven't heard this particular song... 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5_57PF7HwM&list=PL8N5RpdLnBqr0cG5qZv4mVBX_spxfVsfA&index=3

On the Road Again!!!

We are pleased to announce that Ruffingitx3 is on the road again.  Tonight, we'll arrive in Tulsa to visit David's brother and family.  Saturday, we head to Rolla, Missouri, to visit David's mother, sister, and our brother-in-law.  Then on Tuesday, we're heading due west.  We already have a dozen lakes in our sights... woohoo!

We're hoping to be wearing sweatshirts by Wednesday.  Can't wait!!!

Monday, August 19, 2013

EDT... Estimated Departure Time!!!

Calypso, David, and our wonderful grandson.
We are pleased to announce that Ruffingitx3 has an EDT... Thursday, August 29.  We plan to visit David's brother and mother first... in Tulsa and Rolla, respectively, during the Labor Day weekend.  From there, we'll head due west, looking for cool weather and clear lakes.  Our boat Calypso and Rox are at the ready!

As long as Roxanne holds up, we may go as far as Oregon and Washington.  Three weeks ago, it was hard to imagine that this day would come.  Wow!  Life is good!  :)

Thank YOU so much, PAPA!!!  Once again, one of my favorite Scripture verses rings true:

"This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life.  It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next Papa?"  God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are.  We know who He is, and we know who we are:  Father and children.  And we know we are going to get what's coming to us--an unbelievable inheritance!  We go through exactly what Christ goes through.  If we go through the hard times with Him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with Him!" ~Romans 8:15-17 (The Message)


Friday, August 16, 2013

The Good News

Roxanne at Galveston beach earlier this summer.
Dear Friends, We thank each and everyone of you for your prayers and concern for Roxanne.

Our visit to Aggieland was wonderful.  The skill and kindness of the people at this wonderful veterinary school absolutely amazed us.

The good news is that we can say with confidence that Roxanne is healthy and well... no cancer, no horrible degenerative disease, no herniated disk that needs surgery, no problems with her blood or any vital organs.  Roxanne has had absolutely everything tested from the base of her skull to the base of her tail.  As a result, she looks a bit like a crazed groomer tried to do a poodle cut on her, realizing half way through that she was a Golden Retriever...  Thankfully, her hair will grow back.

While we did not receive a definitive reason for Roxanne's lameness, she has been diagnosed with two distinct possibilities.  One is that she is recovering from Lyme's Disease.  The second possibility is much more broad and considered more probable.  It is called peripheral neuropathy, which causes progressive nerve weakness and, thankfully, often stabilizes.  Our Aggie vets were encouraging, feeling that Roxanne's recovery from being totally lame several weeks ago was a very good sign that she has, in fact, stabilized.

The vets at A&M told us that Roxanne may never regain her full strength or hike with us more than a short distance.  However, they also said that with muscle-toning exercises, she should be able to improve.  Hope springs eternal.  Swimming will be the best exercise that she can do... and, of course, our water dog loves to swim.  As a result, we are seriously considering a modified road trip... a lake-hopping excursion out west, designed specifically so that Roxanne can swim as often as possible.

While some may consider this as a sacrifice, we are overjoyed!  We'll take Calypso, our blow-up boat, and cruise blue waters.  Maybe we'll even make it to the Oregon shore to connect with our niece who is thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail for a cause (see http://www.hikingtogetkidsoutside.org/).  While we're not certain how far we'll get (or when we'll leave), we will be doing one of the things that we love most... enjoying the majesty and beauty of this glorious planet, particularly the U.S. of A.

We feel so completely blessed.  Ruffingitx3 may well be on the road again as a threesome!  God is so GOOD!!!  Our praise to His glory and mercy!  :)

We'll keep you posted...

P.S.  With all the waiting time that we had in College Station, we can assure you this:  If you're ever in Aggieland, the George Bush Presidential Library is well worth the trip!

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Aggieland... here we come!!!

Amazingly, Roxanne's latest test results are also negative.  Could it be that Roxanne has decided to go down in the annals of medical history?  Perplexed and at the end of normal diagnostic capabilities, we three are headed to Texas A&M University's vet school next Tuesday.

Go Aggies!  Whoop!