Time to Move on and eliminate excess baggage.

One thing I am reminded of about Myrtle Rockwell was that she was so extremely forgiving. Me not so. It takes the Lord's Grace in my life to forgive. I'd call fire down if I could :). 

One of the things Myrtle use to always say to me was, "why can't you just let it go?" And you know I don't know why. I really don't. I want to and I am learning that by Grace principles the Lord has provided through the Death burial and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The only way I can. 

Anyway, as I look around my house, or where I am living I see so much "stuff" I don't use or need. So guess what? I am going to sell it. Some times for a change of mind we need a change of scenery. I need new. The old things remind me of old things. How about with you? Do you have old things to get rid of? Let's let September be a month a beginning to make some change-fresh!  Myrtle and I did that at her house. Change things, move things, clean things get rid of things. Things things things who needs so many things? Can't take it with us and its all going to be destroyed anyway. Doesn't mean I don't want some things, just not a bunch of things, junk, stuff whatever it might be. And it is not just stuff, But thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, behaviors and habits. These to must go and be replaced with new!!! Good thoughts, hope, faith, love.

I have some goals. :) I want to keep them and get them accomplished.
Myrtle would say do it now, why wait? So I want to take some action on things I know I really need and want to do. She would forget the past and move on. So be it. Will you take that word too? I will.

Till I write again, take action, do it now.

If  Myrtle in this picture was to say something to me I think it would be, "Have you started yet?!"

Why Do Good things happen to Bad people?

As I  was thinking this week about Myrtle and how much fun I had caring for her. Did I have hard times? Yes, there were some hard times for me, but it was not Myrtle's fault, it was mine. I should have never been working seven days a week, sometimes getting four hours of sleep a night. I needed to get help. But I was trying to save Mrs. Rockwell money, because she just did not have enough to pay me the going rate with her military retirement.  Over the ten years I estimate I saved her based on the going caregiver hourly/daily rate, approximately $248,000 dollars in the ten years I helped her. Yes, sounds like a lot but it is true.I saved her $248,000.

Anyone helping an elderly person or knows someone who is, if the person being cared for owns a home and is over 62 can get a reverse mortgage. I should have encouraged Myrtle to follow through on this because she wanted one. But her executor Deborah Laughran  ( a paralegal in Solona Beach by vocation) counseled her against it.Well of course ( I am not sure why Myrtle ever chose her to handle her estate). The Reverse mortgage would have saved Mrs. Rockwell lots of money, paid off an existing loan and been good for her! But as it stands the executor and her husband Michael,  "apparently" made out sweet on this deal. Myrtle's house when she passed (4639 Lenore Dr. SD 92115 ) would have sold in 2011 for approximately $345,000. Less realtor fees if used and the existing loan they would have about $$225,000 or so. But since they did not sell it but kept it and rented it for about two years, then sold it for $425,000 in Nov. 2013,  now there is maybe  $100,000 more on the table. How much more tantalizing is that! Yes indeed. Now we are looking $300,000 to enjoy. Not to mention the antique furniture Mrs. Rockwell had worth thousands of dollars. Myrtle did trust to some degree her executor; but she did say of her that should would go after every nickel, and she apparently did. There was even a Morgan Stanley account when I left at approximately $32,000. I am guessing they took that too.They would not have had such a sweet deal had I not been saving Mrs. Rockwell almost $2050 per month. Times twelve times ten, lots of money. As an attorney I spoke to said, "well these kind of people should be in jail but she had all her i's dotted and t's crossed." They may enjoy for now but the real, very real  fact is that we all answer and give an account to God, the Lord Jesus. And these two are no exception. Remember, everything is being recorded so as to our giving an account to Him.

Is there a lesson? YES. Have a neutral third party handle the executor-ship of the estate you know of, and have it looked over by an attorney in the presence of the owner. Have it updated often as well. I am not sure when it comes to money that you can trust anyone, even friends or relatives. 

Keep in mind I say "apparently" in paragraph two because I left after being kicked out when they wanted me to pay rent with no job as Mrs. Rockwell was my income. I painted the inside of the house and outside without being paid for it though asked to do it, nor was I reimbursed for the material.  All I know is the neighbors were asking, "who are these people taking all of Myrtle's things?" Nobody knew them, yet the neighbors knew Myrtle's family, sister, nephew and niece. But not these people. What would that tell you. They were never around to visit. When I sent a letter to the executor requesting information on the disbursing of the estate I  was basically ignored. All these things I wrote here are true as I cared for Mrs. Rockwell for ten years, seven days a week twenty four hours a day; I knew what her will was and its changes. The above was not it. period. Absolutely. But I put the truth out in the world. Myrtle would not like what happened.

These things are all true as I know and knew it as well as knowing Myrtle's desirous will. I am glad to be corrected if otherwise, but I  saw them working on the house in August/Sept 2013 just before the house sold. I also know they took all the furniture and had control of bank and investment accounts. Hard to conclude? I think not. Out in the universe as they say. We reap what we sow, that is the law. Well God said, "all things work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28. I have not seen the good but I trust the Lord as He says, so I know it is. I just can't see how someone could be trusted so and do the contrary. How can one sleep? I can't imagine. But I don't know what they are going through maybe they have all sorts of trouble. But if the "things" in this life is all you lust after, a sad and sorrowful end. Eternal separation from the Glory of God.

Myrtle's House, I painted the outside, and maintained the yard. Looks nice doesn't it?

Myrtle in her backyard. Yes I maintained that too, I enjoyed it! I sure miss those times. I miss her. She became and was my best friend, next to my brother. I look forward to seeing her.

Helping Senior Citizens, A Dying Breed, Valuable Information gone when they are unless..

 Unless we learn from them Now. 

What I learned from Myrtle Rockwell, ( I am still working on practicing them).

Do it now, why wait. What a powerful practice, Action. Five letter word can change our life.
Put things back in their place when done. Simple yet how profound. A place for everything, everything in its place.
Focus on one thing in life first, not that there can't be others, but have One main one, i.e. job. or at least she said don't change until the one is going well.
( this one may be different in our techie times, monkey minds)
Stay out of debt, except for housing. But pay off and don't borrow unless plan is in place, profit.
Invest in small ways in sure things, don't gamble.
Be Enthusiastic
Smile
Be friendly to all you meet.
Enjoy your food and drink, sip and small bites, savor it. Not Gulp as she used to say to me.
Care for your family, help if you can but make them responsible and accountable.
Get sleep. 
Laugh.
Be attentive, listen. 

These are only a few, as I think of more I will post them.  
I sure miss her, and it hurts knowing how her executor Deborah L. violated Myrtle's trust on the handling of her estate. Myrtle was so trusting. Well we will all give account to God.

No Matter How Much Trouble You Are Going Through You Can Make It..

One of the many things I so appreciated about Myrtle Rockwell was that  no matter what happened in the day, around the house, like sink stopped up or disposal going out or physical and even social i.e. family; You all know what I mean, she was always positive and smiling.

That is how Myrtle was. To everyone all the time even if you crossed her. Her relationship to and with Jesus Christ through His word Myrtle was a very different woman. She was patient, kind, attentive, generous, hospitable, frugal, good with money, trusting and on I could go. So my days often times do not go well  I reflect back on Myrtle and consider too my own walk with the Lord according to His word and I make an adjustment....saying things aren't so bad. Take them as they come without exaggeration.
 In many of these picture Myrtle is wearing the same sweater, she did that often because some were warmer.
More to come.....

Help Protect Children and Adult, Seniors for sure...

Every day some thief scumbag scams Seniors, Adults and Children. This kind of crime too often goes without sufficient punishment.  

Senior citizens have often been victims of unscrupulous sales people and contractors.



Stand up for them. Report anything you see or hear about a Senior being abused or taken advantage of in any way. I did not do it all the time I should and regret it. That is how Mrs. Rockwell's Estate was literally stolen from her desired will. Speak out and take action.

Bye for now.

Sassy Picture of Myrtle

I am telling you ladies in the 40's plus were more intriguing than they are today.
I don't really have much to say but I do want to post a sassy picture of Myrtle. I am not sure how old she was or rather what her age was.

To me that is a fun picture. If  I had been around with Myrtle I would have dated this lady. Fun, wonderful personality, good friend and balanced in life. She knew who she was as a lady and an adult. 

I miss her very much. How come in life we may only be lucky enough to have maybe one or two exceptional friends? Can you say that you have one?   I hope you can and if you do your are blessed. Cherish it! :)
Bye for now. More pictures later.

Cool Picture of Myrtle Henderson Rockwell........Lieutenant Navy Nurse.

   Being a Nurse was very important to Myrtle. She wanted people to get good Care when they came to either the hospital or just to the doctor, the nurse is where it starts. So it was important to her to do well and make people feel at ease.

   I read an essay that Myrtle kept from her grade school years. The essay was to be written on what you think you might want to do in life. Huh? What child knows what they want to do for the rest of their life? Well some do. I have known one or two personally that knew from childhood what they wanted to do. 
Myrtle said in her essay that she either wanted to be a Teacher or a Nurse. She also commented that she never taught anybody so she wasn't sure if she'd like to do that; on the other hand she did care for both her mom and sister on occasion whenever they were sick. She wrote that she liked doing that, and based on that in her essay she said, "Well, I guess I'll be a Nurse."  That's when it started. When she graduated from high school she  then went to Pomona Community College and from there to Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara for training. Some stories about that but maybe another time. She did tell me of her training Nurse and what an impact she had on Myrtle's whole career as a Nurse. So you never know how or in what way you might impact someones life. Myrtle was commissioned in the Navy in 1938. I have one cool picture;

I am not sure where she is but that is a wing from a Japanese war plane. You can see the Zero, as they called them on the wing there.   How cool is that. Myrtle is doing two things she loves; Nursing and serving her Country in the Navy, and has experiences like this. Very Cool. 

It was a privilege to serve her when she needed help after my Mother passed from cancer. I miss her greatly. She was a good friend, best I could ever have. 
Did I mention I began helping Myrtle in April of 2001 shortly after her doctor put her on Hospice for Congestive Heart Failure? I began making some good healthy meals for her with some nutrition and in six months she went fro 105lbs to 125lbs and heart doctor said, "you are fine Mrs. Rockwell."  She lived 10 years after that, and she really had some fun. So you never know, neither do the doctors. :) More later.

Myrtle Henderson Rockwell's home,where she was born..

Myrtle told me she was born in Dagget. Her parents bought this home for $92.dollars. Imagine a house costing $92. dollars.  Bear in mind it was 1915 or so. Now depending on where one lives, even if the median price was say $200,000. That is over 2100 times the amount they paid one hundred years ago. Wow, so if America goes for another hundred years (it won't) but say it does. Housing would be  uh let's see... do the math....
$40,000,000. Oh a house would only be forty million at that rate. 

Here is a picture of the house.

And another one

Myrtle's mom and dad. From what she told me she had wonderful loving Christian parents. I look forward to meeting them when I get home with the  Lord in heaven.

Humble home, but they were thankful and happy to have it. Love makes the house a "Home." Would you agree?

These are fun pictures. Myrtle spoke often of her mother and father, often. A Great legacy. She loved them dearly. She took care of her mother in this home on Lenore until she passed away going home to the Lord.

Beautiful home too. This is where I cared for Mrs. Rockwell for ten years, 7/24. Funny, Myrtle's father worked on the railroad, and Myrtle's estate was railroaded into a direction she had no intention of doing.
Well, that's life , elderly taken advantage every day. Truth is everyone will give an account to God, so nothing will be missed; even though people think it will.
Until then, watch and wait. :)

Myrtle Henderson Rockwell,Lieutenant Navy Nurse & Capt. Joe Rockwell

Myrtle was a Navy Nurse, and loved it. She met her husband at a Navy Hospital while he was in for some care. They were married I believe in 1950 were married for 37 years, Joe went to be with the Lord in 1987.

Those who knew them both said they had a wonderful marriage. Joe had some really nice wall certificates from the Navy signed by Presidents like Eisenhower. I showed them to his grandson but he was more interested in money goods. What could he get from the estate that was money. Money money money, that's all he and his wife were about it seems. He missed it. He has no clue where "real" value is versus apparent. You can't take it with you and even if you could without God's saving Grace in Christ, what good is money in hell.? :)  And if we could take it why would you? If you are a Christian ( I Corinthians 15:1-5) then the earthly garbage is not worthy to be compared to the glories ready to be revealed. 

Myrtle and Joe loved their Country, The United States of America and were glad to serve. I have a picture of Joe, he looks like he was a real man. He too looks like he could have been in movies.

And Myrtle in her Uniform

Our country has changed over the years. Or as my dad used to say, "times don't change people do." True enough dad. People have changed over the years and simply don't have the convictions they used to or the morals. These men and women built this country and thieves within are stealing "their" and "our" America blind and running it in the ground.

Myrtle Henderson Rockwell, looks like a Star!

I was going through some pictures I had form Myrtle's old ones and ran across these; She looks like she could have been a movie star. What do you think?

This look is more intriguing than ladies today.

And here is a picture of her in Uniform, Navy Nurse;

I really like these pictures of ladies in the 40's,
more style and class   than the way women are today. The world needs ladies and Men    

Until next time, care for the ones you love!

A Friend I will not forget, and one I will see in heaven, with the Lord.

    I realized I had not posted anything here for a while and Myrtle Rockwell was a great once in your life friend. ........ Do you have one?   I hope you do!

I was going through some pictures and wanted to post some fun ones. Myrtle was in the Navy. She was a Lieutenant Navy nurse, and she loved it and she loved her country the United States of America.

And I found her dog tags.

Isn't that cool?  She loved the Navy and being a Nurse. I know envy is not a good thing but I envied Myrtle because she knew from her grade school days she wanted to be a Nurse. Wow, how many people know from childhood and follow through on what they wanted to do?

Here is a one of my favorites. She was on ship and the ship was dropping off our Marines somewhere in China.

Myrtle looks pretty cool there doesn't she, not to mention good looking!

Well that's all for now. Just a reminder of how much Myrtle Henderson Rockwell loved her country, the United States of America. She loved and so appreciated those men and women who served in whatever capacity!
I truly miss her. She really enjoyed and loved her life!  More pictures later.

How time flies! Don't you agree?! Wow 4 years.

This was a favorite picture of Myrtle. The left hand there on her shoulder is from her niece Andrea. She was the only one in Myrtle's family who genuinely cared for Myrtle's welfare rather than just her $ Money.

Myrtle was always in a good mood, always. She was the most emotional balanced person I knew. Always smiling, always friendly and kind. She loved the Lord. She was a Christian; not someone who simply believed in God, or prayed a prayer from the the back of some silly tract, but she believed that Christ's death on the cross, His burial and resurrection was sufficient to save us, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Simple. And it showed. Myrtle reflected Christ and the fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23. ( Love, joy peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness and self-control).

I really appreciated Myrtle. She had a life she said which had no regrets, none. She knew from childhood she was going to be a Navy Nurse and she became one. She then married Captain Joe Rockwell in 1950. They were married 30+ years before he went to the Lord.

It's sad, Joe's grandson Michael is so opposite him. Joe, from what I learned from Myrtle and his friends who knew him was he had no interest in money or material things. In fact he gave away things of great value as a favor to a friend. Myrtle was a little peeved. Because Joe gave away once a China closet probably dating from early 17th century. Boy would the executor have loved to grab that. Would have been worth tens of thousands.
Already four years since Myrtle passed away and is now home with the Lord. I miss her. I am sorry I did not take more care of her financial affairs, but I  avoided it for the purpose of not being accused of changing the will or embezzlement. Unfortunately it happened anyway by the very person Myrtle trusted. All the estate went to ones (apparently) she had NO intention of giving anything to, but as Myrtle's friend John said, "Mike, that's life".  So life moves on. But realize this, Life is short and before you know it you are at your own end. Without the Lord, live as honestly as you can; it will be better for you in the end.! :)