Well, I've done it. I'm moving. Here is the new link. The Weekend Gardener Hope I like it but think I will. I'm a little melancholy about living Blogger but it's time to move on. I will get it fixed up to where I like it and I think it will be better. Hopefully anyway.
See ya on the flip flop.
Well, shoot. This blog stuff is messing with me. Thank goodness I know enough about HTML and CSS to be completely dangerous to myself and my followers. They changed some stuff on here but it might be because I have changed computers. Not to crazy about Windows 8 but oh well. Going to have to have someone show me some stuff on here. It doesn't play right. I had Vista way back when and wasn't crazy about it but this is worse I think. Oh well, this too will pass and I will probably have to have another computer in a couple of years anyway. I go through them like Bic Razors. LOL.
Anyway, I told everyone last night that I was doing some soul searching and trying to figure out what my fit is in this life. Well, I have been following this blog from this gentleman and really, really enjoy his blogs. They are so uplifting and today's blog hit home base. "What is your fit??? Michael Patz is his name and if you really want to get some good readings, like his blog. They come in my emails. I guess mine do too if you follow them. I don't know.
Anyway, what he says is so right. Jump into community, that is where your gifts will rise to the surface. Talk to ones you can trust, your elders and your leaders in your lives and have them pray with you and for you. I have done that before on something that was placed on my heart and it has grown by leaps and bounds. It is a very successful endeavor and all we had to do was have faith and get it started. I have things I want to start and I just need to take the leap of faith.
I hope this helps you with finding your answers, if you are looking for answers. I believe it has me and I will keep believing that.
Good night everyone. Be classy and I love you all, even if you don't love me!!!
Well, this is my last day home for this week and my last long weekend until probably around May. We get two holidays in May, Truman's birthday on the 8th and then Memorial Weekend. I know, Truman's birthday is one of those bogus birthdays but hey....what can I say? Don't be a hater!
Storms are to be coming in and sounds like we are going to be having ice and snow along with sleet. Yuck, yuck, yuck. Hope it is short lived, am not wanting any of that stuff in my life at all! Josh has been working out of town since Thursday and is coming home today. I am wanting to stick around before I go back down to Springfield to see him but don't want to travel after dark. Hopefully he will be home early afternoon and all will be okay.
As I was driving down to Springfield today, I didn't turn the radio on until I was almost down here. Did a bunch of soul searching. All I can do is take it to my higher power, and He will allow it to happen if that is the direction I need to take. I let things bother me to much sometimes and things people say cut into me. I should be the better person and let it just roll off but with the verbal abuse, mental abuse and physical abuse of my past lives, it is hard. I am no different than anyone else though that has been through worse than I, so I need to buck up and not let the words hurt. I grew up though, with the guilt trips that a mother can instill on her child to make them obey and those have continued to stay with me. The shame of the dreaded guilt trips.
Don't get me wrong though. My mom was a good mom, I should have been disciplined more than I actually was. Seriously, I got away with murder. In my entire childhood I only got two spankings and they probably weren't really spankings. One, I don't even remember what I did but I ran away from her and climbed a tree. Well, I had to come down out of that tree and the spanking pursued. The other time I was tormenting my little niece Renada. She was 9 years younger than I and was a pain in my backside when we were growing up. She adored me and why not??? I was cool and she wanted to be like me. Well, I was doing something mean, I am sure, and my mom swatted me with the yard stick to make me stop. She probably should have used the belt but my mom wasn't a physical abuser. I am sure the guilt trip after Renada left was far worse than the swatting. LOL.
Speaking of Renada, I am so glad we did grow up together because we are close now. When I came back to Mo and started hanging around the family again there were a lot of things I noticed that Renada does that is the same as me. One of them is crazy but she likes mustard on her sandwiches. I always liked mustard, never mayo or salad dressing. Not even ketchup that well, still am like that. She loves the smell of patchouli, probably from all the incense I use to burn in my room. One time I was unpacking some stuff that mom had given me and I lived with the last pond scum I lived with. Anyway, I was unpacking my stuff and pulled out the incense burner. He goes, "You aren't going to let Josh see that, are you?" I'm like what? It's an incense burner. I think he thought it was a pipe to smoke dope out of or something. Idiot.
Well, if nothing else this has made me feel better after writing in it. I go to a retirement meeting tomorrow to hear what I need to do. I've had two other's scheduled but have missed them, I don't plan to miss this one. Sounds like we are going to get a pretty bad ice storm in town tomorrow night. Sounds like Harrisonville area may get some too but mainly snow. We'll see, it all may miss us all. I will talk to you guys tomorrow and take care. Love you all.
Checking out some paint swatches and cabinet hardware for the kitchen. In the next week or two I want to repaint the kitchen and get it all looking good. Then went over to the "Trade Fair" which is a flea market in Harrisonville. Saw some pretty cool stuff but didn't buy anything. It was a pretty good afternoon.
A direct quote from Facebook from a preacher. "If you are an American and believe that abortion is right and that homosexuality is moral, you have that right. But if you do, please don't profess to be a Christian or claim to believe the Bible. Jesus clearly taught that any sexual activity except that which occurs between a heterosexual married couple is sin and unacceptable. The rest of the Bible in both the Old and the New Testaments echo and affirm that fact. Scripture is also clear that life and personhood begin at conception and that the destruction of that innocent life is likewise sin and unacceptable. Now again if you choose not to believe those truths you have that right. But please don't blaspheme The Lord Jesus Christ by claiming to be His follower, and don't insult the holiness of God's Word by quoting it' qualifying it, or questioning it. And please don't tell people you are a Christian or that you read or study, because you're just bad advertisement."
Just because we don't all think alike and I don't have the same beliefs as some doesn't mean I'm not a Christian and should be shamed into thinking that I blaspheme Jesus by "claiming" to be His follower and insulting God's Word by quoting it. Also, don't tell me not to proclaim to people that I am a Christian or that I read or study the Word. Don't tell me that I am bad advertisement---just because I don't see eye to eye with your beliefs. Just between you and me, I can touch people with God's Word that you would never even be accepted into their house and you do not know what my relationship is with God. God loves me unconditionally and puts me in instances that I can bring people into His house and closer to Him. I speak in larger magnitudes just by actions and without words. All men sin and no one sin is greater than any other except for the sin of denying God....let he who is without sin cast the first stone.....and what ever I choose to call myself is between me and my God.
I get so mad at the holier than thou's out there. So heavenly good that they are no earthly account!!! God loves everyone and he had Jesus come and teach us, Love one another as we would have them love us. And to love God and put only Him as our worship. Grrr. I need to move on and be reminded that I am the better person here.
I love everybody and remember...Only we can make the difference needed. I love this next post I posted earlier today...
Many of you are unaware, but when I blog during the weekend I usually just pick up my computer and write whatever is on my mind at the time. Sometimes I do that and sometimes I just sit in my chair during a very quiet time and write my thoughts. Well, this morning we are watching my favorite show, "Sunday Morning". It comes on at 8am on CBS but they are doing a story on the Sandy Hook murders and they also did a story on Oscar Pistorius murder. It makes me sad and wonder, what has happened to our world? What has happened to empathy? Some blame guns, some blame drugs (lack of or to much) some blame mental health and then some blame the parents. I don't know who is to blame and I don't even know if we need to point blame on anyone or anything. I believe it has to do with mental health but is it?
Took a nap today and am feeling better, not that I felt bad but I was in a funk. Still am a little. I told Terry I didn't understand why and he said because the weekend is time to unwind. After saying that I thought a little on what that meant and he is right. I know the rest of you can relate also. Even if you don't do manual work, mental and physical work can be as grueling. I was always told before that I didn't work hard and there was no reason why I should be tired, that I was lazy. Well, it takes a lot of energy to put in your work hours. Especially if you deal with the public, deal with policies and procedures and deal with emotions from clients and even co-workers. Man, I'm tired just thinking about it.
You know modern technology is wonderful but Skype!!! That is the neatest thing. We talked to Jeremy, Barbel and Emma today. Let me tell you, that picture did not do her justice!!! Those cheeks are fuller and rounder not being on her back and that poor baby has no neck! She is absolutely adorable. Love her to death, cannot wait to see her this year again. She is going to be so beautiful because she already is.
Well, the day has ended pretty good. Terry and I went for a walk around the neighborhood and then when we got home took Lamar on a walk in the field behind the house. We need to get him a harness that fits him. He has outgrown the one we had for him because he is a porker! Plus because he was a puppy when we got it for him and he's not a puppy any more. His ole tongue was hanging out when we got home though. Did him some running which is good for him. Anyway, the walk did me good, help with my mood in the funk. Not there anymore. I really need to quit being lazy and do more outside.
Talked to a friend today that I hadn't talked to for a long time. Long time, I mean a month or so. It was so good talking to her and she's been sick, which I didn't realize. She is having a surprise birthday party for her mama, 90 years old. Is that not awesome. Terry and I will be going without a doubt. Ruby is a special, special lady. She told me if she was 30 years younger she'd give me a run for my money over Terry. LOL. She's awesome. One of my favorite Ruby stories was when she had breast cancer. I'm thinking she was in her late 70's maybe and she had the mastectomy. I went over to see her after she got out of the hospital and asked how she was doing? She said fine and then said, "You know what them Grandchildren of mine are calling me?" I told her pray tell, I'd have no idea. She said, "One booby Ruby!" Laughing as she was telling me that. Gotta love that Ruby, she is awesome.
I have two more days home. Tomorrow is like President's Day or something and since Monday is my day off normally, I have Tuesday off. I'm glad. Getting off of here and will talk to you guys tomorrow. Bye.
Well, well, well. Here I am once again, rested and not as tired as I was yesterday. Man, that day wore me out!!! I came home to a great surprise. As you guys know, Valentine's Day was Thursday and I was in Springfield so we didn't get to celebrate. I decided to surprise him though this year and bought a card, placing 4 Scratch off tickets inside and when I left Wednesday morning placed it on the bathroom sink for when he woke up. He told me Wednesday night that he was going to wait until I got home before he scratched them. Plus my present would be waiting for me when I got home. As I said, I got home late last night and we were unloading the car, placing my luggage in the bedroom. I was carrying in my hang up clothes and a bag and there on the bed was my present....
Anyone that knows me knows the weakness I have for stuffed animals. The inner child in me comes out. As long as I am alive I will always give a child a stuffed animal for a present. This guy is going to Springfield with me. Trying to figure out a fitting name for him, just haven't yet. I'll let you guys know the big decision when it comes. :o)
Oh, and Terry won $15 on the Scratch off tickets. He then bought another ticket this morning, not from the one's I gave him and won $20. This guy is one of the luckiest people I've ever known.
I had so many people cry to me yesterday. Heartfelt tears. A close friend that is dealing with a loss, a father that is dealing with a loss of a son into the world of drugs and homosexuality. It wasn't a dad that was mad at his son, it was a dad that feels he is losing the love of his son. Drugs are bad, no matter what or how you look at them. 19 year old on Ecstasy, Meth and who knows what else. I know this is a fact because I know the crowd his son is hanging with. Then another friend cried telling me some things that is heavy on their hearts. Not sure why I was chosen as the person to hear these stories but whatever the reason is, I hope it was well played by me. I pray to God that I have made a difference.
A close friend of mine and I were talking last night, she has been working in Public Health longer than I. She gets depressed and discouraged just like the rest of us and she said that whatever our purpose is in life, if we even make a difference in one life it is what we are here for. That wasn't the exact words she said but close or at least it was within the ballpark.
Well, guess what. This is it. Getting off, "Stay Classy" people.
Got home late tonight, am tired but got a lot accomplished today so all is good. Lots has happened tonight that sends me running in prayer though. Pray people like you've never prayed before. I have come across a lot of people the last two days that can definitely use your prayers, chants, meditation, whatever you do to your higher power. To much sadness has been brought to my attention. Wish I had the answer but I don't.
Will write more tomorrow. I'm tired. Good night all.
I found out today at work how important friends are. No matter how bad something feels or seems, friends are the ones that get mad because of the injustice that is served on you, they are the ones that have you laughing at yourself and the situation and they just understand. The last couple of days have been tough but tonight things seem a little better. I have a lot of good, good friends at work and also away from work. I realize how lucky I am.
I posted that picture along with that phrase tonight on Facebook and it brought back so many memories of my younger days of when I moved back to MO and made new friends. We use to pile up in one or two vehicles and go to all kinds of street dances in the summer and fall. It was so much fun, we'd travel distances to hear the bands and just dance the night away. In the winter when it was to cold for the dances we would all congregate at the bar in Urich, The Town Tavern, and play pool, listen to the jukebox and sometimes the owner Jr Anderson would have fish fries, mountain oyster fry or what ever. There would be a potluck, everyone would bring in a dish and the place would be packed. Of course there has never been a hamburger as good as Jr's and there never will be. Nothing but ground beef and some seasoning but they were delicious. I can still taste them. It was a good place ran by good people. There will never be another Town Tavern like that one.
When we weren't doing that on the weekends we would play Volleyball. Now for those of you that know me, I am not much of a sports player, let alone volleyball. It was a serious game and man, you could get hurt playing. My husband, Josh's dad, was very competitive and him, along with his best friend Bo....you'd better get out of the way because they were going to get that ball no matter what. It was fun though but really more fun to sit on the sidelines and watch.
Bringing up Bo reminds me of a funny story about him. One night there were about three of us out riding around and it was quite late. We decided to run by Bo and Elise's house and get Elise to come and have fun with us. Why we thought she'd want to come with us I'm not sure, especially since she had two little ones, Josh and Andrea. Anyway, we stop by like at 1:30 knocking on the door. All lights are out, no TV on....ya think they were probably in bed??? Well anyway here comes Bo to the door, now visualize this. The only thing he had on was a TUBE SOCK!!! Cracked us up. He goes in his ever famous Bo talk, "I had to put on something, mama wouldn't let me answer the door stark naked!!!" We had some good times.
Well, I'm getting off here. Enjoy life people and make the best of it. It makes for some fun memories.
Today was definitely a day I want to write off. It wasn't totally terrible. I woke up in Harrisonville this morning around 5:30. I had to be in El Dorado Springs at 8:30am. Had packed the car the night before so all I had to do is get up, get dressed and leave. Placed Terry's Valentine's card in a place that he would be sure and see it. In the bathroom on the sink. Off I drove and everything was good. While I was in El Dorado my work phone rings and they were sitting me up for an interview for another position I am applying for. After this one I am going to lay low for a little while I think. We'll see what comes around the pike. Got to the office and that is when things got a little sticky but it will all be okay. Long story and don't feel like getting into it. Then I get a call from a facility in Joplin and I had to run down there this afternoon. I drove a little over 300 miles today so needless to say, I am tired and a little cranky. :o)
Apartment stinks. Forgot to dump the trash Friday and didn't get back to the apartment until today. I am trying to think what I made last week. I know I made homemade vegetable beef soup with cabbage and I also made beans with ham hocks too, I think. I know I put it all in the freezer and can just grab a freezer bag out when I want. But whatever I have in the trash it smells like a rotten cooked cabbage fest in here. Man, it stinks. I have one of those burners where you put the scented wax in and turn the light bulb on. I got it last year from Jenny (my daughter in law) for Christmas. I love it and use it all the time. Well, it's not cutting the cake with this smell. I am going to have to buy some Fabreeze (or however you spell it) tomorrow. Along with some laundry detergent. I meant to pick it up in Harrisonville this weekend but I forgot my debit card down here. Wasn't that just as convenient as all get out. LOL
Cutting it off short. I'm tired tonight. Maybe I will be rested up and will write more tomorrow. We'll see. Good night all.
Well, what do you think of it? I get tired of the same background and the winter background just doesn't feel right. We really haven't even had a real winter or a real snow here this year. I mean, I'm glad we didn't get what the East Coast got but we sure could use the moisture. We truly aren't out of the drought. It's scary in this neck of the woods.
As I prepare for Valentine's Day, walking into the stores I think of the sadness this day has connected to it. In 20 years, I may have gotten two gifts at Valentines and didn't get Christmas or Birthday presents either. It use to hurt me but after a while the hurt just turned in anger and then into hardness. It was hard for me to get back into the romantic-ness of getting each other little tokens. I am learning and after three years you would think that it would be easier but it isn't. Hard to explain and I don't plan to tonight. Just gives me a lot of mixed emotions.
Spent the day with Patsey, driving around the area getting errands done. We had a really nice lunch together just visiting. We have been friends for so long that we don't have to explain anything. We both know our history, that is what is nice about friends you have had for a long time. No explaining why you say what you say!!! As always, we had fun.
Well, getting off of here. Will have more to write tomorrow maybe. This is a fun song and fun video. I hadn't heard it before or the artist, that I can remember. Enjoy and Be good.
She's 5 months old today and she is one of the most beautiful little girls I have ever set my eyes or lips on. Well, maybe second most beautiful. Madison has 9 years of that place in my heart but Miss Emma Grace runs a close second. Terry and I ran to the store to pick me up a new computer and we were eating at Famous Dave's. A really good BBQ place, not my favorite but isn't a bad replacement for the favorite. Anyway, we were sitting there and Terry goes, "I got a text from Jeremy." I'm like what does it say and Terry has the best smile any Grandpa could ever have on his face (it just glowed) and turns the phone so I could see and there she was. That gorgeous little sweetie. I told Jeremy she is adorable and that we loved getting the pic!!! I told Terry we need to get back out there as fast as we can, she is nothing but skin and bones!!! We are lucky individuals, we have two beautiful little girls, two beautiful daughter in laws and the daddy's aren't bad either. I've said it before and will say it again....love my family! Remember, if they don't remember anything else, they will remember how you made them feel as they were growing up.
Excited about my new computer but I have Windows 8 now. The salesman was really good about showing me stuff but it is taking me a little time learning everything but am so happy to have my own computer. We will take my other one to get it fixed but it was going to cost us a new computer to get it fixed. Granted a new cheaper computer but still a new computer. I was going to get an IPad because I have an IPhone and all. Plus Jeremy and my Josh both have been telling me I need one. I will, I think by summer I will. Then I'll have three computers, is that not crazy. One for Springfield, one for Harrisonville and one for travel. LOL. I'm a mess.
I loved watching the Grammy's last night. Music is one of my favorite things in the entire world. It blew me away when I was out at Jeremy and Barbel's house last October. He thought he was introducing Terry and I to a group and I was like...THE BLACK KEYS!!! I love The Black Keys. I was really glad they won the Grammy last night. Can't remember if it was the best song or what but they rock. Was glad Stronger by Kelly Clarkson got something too. The best song was another one I love. Wasn't to crazy about Frank Ocean or whatever his name is. Love Adele and she is awesome along with Mumford and Sons. There are some good artists out there now. I love them all.
Getting off of here. Going to see if I can figure YouTube out on here. This whole Windows 8 concept is a different concept for me to figure out.
August 2013, there is going to be a change in our lives. For me, it isn't really going to be that big of a deal but to some it will have a big impact. What that impact could be, I'm not sure but I am sure some are going to be upset because of this big decision. The post office will not be delivering mail on Saturdays. I can see where it will save money for this organization. Wages for the carriers, gas and mileage on the vehicles used to deliver the mail. They say that if you have a post office box you can still pick up your mail, it just won't be delivered to your home or business.
Everytime I think about the post office I think about the individuals that do stamp collecting. Why I have no idea but when I see the beautiful stamps that are available I think of these individuals. I only know one person personally that collects. I have never seen his collection but know he collects. We would talk about it sometimes and I would see him in the post office buying sheets of stamps he didn't have. John Kukovich, my preacher at the Christian Church in Garden City. I really like John as a person, pastor and friend. He made an important impact on my life as a person, as a Christian and as a community servant. He is a good, good man. Also love his daughter Cindy and wife Alma. I didn't know his boys that well but know they are good people too. Anyway, got off the subject there.
My friend dated a guy that had the neatest collection too. Now I saw his and looked at his books and it was so impressive. He had different types of stamp collections but I loved his Disney collection and that is the only one I remember, even though he had volumes and volumes of collections. I once embrodiered a piece that was the Love stamp. I did that while I was pregnant with Josh, for something to do in the evenings when I was sitting there by myself. I'm not sure if I still have it or not. If I do I have no idea where it is packed away at. Be kinda cool if I find it sometime and I might. That's another one of those "one of these days" story.
Tonight is the Grammy's and I can't wait. I am a nerd when it comes to award shows like that. There are a lot of fabulous up and coming artists out right now. I like the sound they are going for now. If I haven't said it or you haven't noticed but I love music. Music soothes the savage soul. I like all but Opera, that's another story, oh and hate music. That's not music that's hate.
If we can't be sure of anything else, we can be sure of change. It happens every day, every second, every moment of our lives. It's okay, if we didn't have change our lives would be boring. Enjoy.
Age, date of birth, account numbers, expiration dates, 20% off, 60% off, address, last four digits of your social security number, phone numbers, gas prices, grocery prices, sale prices, drivers liscense numbers, mileage.....it goes on and on and on. Can you see where I am heading yet with this topic? Numbers. When did our lives become so involved with numbers? Maybe it always has been but in my earlier life I didn't notice, or care. Not that I really care now but for someone that is number remembering challenged, it can be overwhelming. I know my social by heart and of couse my date of birth but the rest is a challenge for me. I barely remember my own phone number let alone the two other phones that I have for work. I am a proud owner of three phones and to remember those, let alone a fax number too. Yeah, it's a challenge.
I do pretty good remembering birthdates of my immediate family and my two granddaughters, but get outside of that realm and I am toast. Talking about the three telephones I am the proud owner of, I also have two addresses to remember. I can remember this one in Harrisonville but my address in Springfield, yeah, no I can't remember that....let alone what apartment I live in.
Before my tenure at the State, I was a bookkeeper for a tax office and a propane company. Balancing out books and finding errors I enjoyed. Those numbers are fun, and also math, algebra and such. I don't mind that but memorizing numbers isn't real good for me. I still struggle a little with the multiplication table. 7's and 8's are the biggest challenge. LOL. I know, I'm a mess.
I have one other weakness besides numbers and that would be that I am direction illiterate. Yeah, that will be another blog. Just give me right or left, none of this north or south, east or west. Just saying.
Got a surprise text from Brandon this morning, they are having their Chinese New Year right now. He said that the fireworks had been going off all day long. I told him at first I thought he was in a war zone or something. Him and his dad Skyped the other day and talked for over 3 hours, they both told me it was a good conversation. Sometimes we just need that. I know when Josh was little, staying at mom's he had a special place on her kitchen cabinet that he would sit and just talk to her about his day and such. Him and I would have those special moments also, I loved that time when they just want to talk to you.
Josh is doing good right now. They are working 10 hour days and last week he put in 60 hours. Tonight when he came home he said he was worn slick. He really likes this job but 6 ten hour days can make an old man out of you fast, but of course he is only 25. Now if this 56 year old fat little lady tried that they would have to put me in traction. Nope, couldn't handle it.
Terry is watching basketball, guess we are gearing up for the Big 12, even though his team MU will be in the SEC instead. He just told me Missouri and Texas A & M left the conference. Guess Nebraska and Colorado left a couple years ago. Bless his heart, he tries so hard to educate me on sports. I like basketball and baseball though and understand those games, just not so much on football. Of course I don't remember all the key players on the teams unless I think they are cute. Billy Butler of the Royals, I like him even though he is the designated hitter. Ole' Country Breakfast. I have yet to figure out why they call him that but I do know that him and his wife do some awesome charity work in and around KC. Good people.
Been doing laundry all day and getting ready to finish. Going to get off here and finish up supper dishes and relax for the evening. As always I hope I can stay up for SNL aka Saturday Night Live. They crack me up!!!
Stay Classy
Growing up in a small community brought many an awesome person in my life and this inspirational piece came from an icon of my childhood. Ruby Neuenschwander. I knew Ruby and her husband Amos very well. They always had a smile on their face and a kind word every time I saw them. They were strong supporters of my dad when he was in the nominated County office during his life. Growing up, I admired their two daughters Cindy and Sara Gay. They were older than me and I thought they were the coolest. So beautiful, talented and smart. They were much older than I so I never could dub them as friends but since we have graduated and grown up I can truly say, Cindy is a dear friend of mine.
Ruby has recently passed away as so many from my childhood have done. Cindy posted this today on FaceBook. As they are going through the memorbilia in their parents house, she said her mom carried this piece of paper in her wallet. This did not surprise me at all. It sounds so much like Ruby.
I am closing this piece off with a picture of my Great Great Niece. Taylor is in 2nd Grade and is reading to Otis. One of his job responsibilities in the classroom is to listen to the children read....Taylor's mama Christal said that Taylor LOVES Otis. How cool is that for the school to have a reading buddy like that. Such an awesome incentive to get children to read.
As I was coming down here Monday, I realized I needed something to drink. Route 44 Diet Limeaid. I stopped at the Sonic in Clinton and went through the drive-thru. As I was pulling up to the speaker I remembered it was half price drinks during this time of day. I dug through my purse and found no cash at all. I was like great, I went ahead and ordered and she told me my total was going to be $1.24. There was a couple of cars ahead of me and as I kept thinking how I didn't want to use my debit card for a dollar, I remembered something that they say on this Christian radio station that I listen to. Do an act of kindness and pay for the order of the person that is behind you. I did some serious thinking but decided to trust the Lord on this one. When I pulled up to the window I told the cashier I wanted to pay the next person's order. She did not bat an eye, took my card and closed the window. I kept looking at the lady in my rear view window and said a prayer for her. When the cashier gave me back my card she said the ticket for the other order was $.97. I thanked the lady and drove on.
As I was pulling out of the parking lot I thought about all the times I have stopped somewhere to get a drink, something to eat, and not have any money but I wanted or needed something to eat. I have dug in my purse, checked under the car seat, in the console, in the cup holders in my coat pockets. Whatever it took to come up with just a dollar. I don't know if this lady had that moment or not but it makes you feel good when you just do a little act of kindness to someone you don't even know and you will never know if it made an impact on that woman's life or not.
Society has paid me acts of kindness a time or two when I least expected it. It may not have taken the burden off my problems at that moment but it did take a corner off that chunk that made it an easier load to carry. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Today I was talking to a co-worker that is getting ready to retire at the end of the month. She is going into another chapter in her life. The chapter we all will enter one of these days. I can't wait to start writing about that chapter. It should be interesting. Let's hope anyway.
Today three of us walked over to thelibrary. I got me three books but nothing to read. One was a craft book and two plant books. May order one of them on Amazon. It was really good. The name of it is, "Growing Food In Small Gardens". Heck what am I talking about, I loved the other one too. "Fruit and Vegetables in Pots". I will check my favorite shopping website out and see what the cost for these two books are. One thing I like about Amazon is you can buy the books used and they are not bad looking books at all.
Getting off here. Have a good day everyone and talk to you tomrrow.
When I sit and reflect upon my day, I am like Wow, I did that and talked to those people. I wish sometimes that we could be left alone to do what we need to do in our own timeframe. Sometimes you don't make an impact last year when you were with your client and then all of a sudden, out of the blue, you recieve a phone call from them. They cannot afford their meds because their insurance will not cover it and co pay is over $500. I am working to help this person out and I will do what I can do to help them.
Today was an interesting day. I spent all day in Joplin MO. It is such a sad town, trying to rebuild after the horrific tornado. I am not sure they will ever get back everything they lost. You drive down the street and along the sidewalks are concrete steps leading up to empty lots that use to have homes on them and trees. The next block from this empty space are new homes going up. Then among the new homes you will see a vacant 3 story older home, with the windows still blown out from the storm. Everytime I see the town I think of this song. Not sure why, maybe it's because it is one of my favorites or maybe just because...
My audience is awaiting me so I guess I will get off of here. It was an emotional day for me. Not sure if it is because of lack of a good nights sleep, the material I was dealing with today or just because I sometimes feel emotionally drained. I'm really okay. Just one of those days. Talk to you tomorrow.
There were several commercials last night that were awesome and funny. Several stupid and even more that you wonder why they wasted the millions of dollars it took to have them air during the Super Bowl. The one Ad that hit it home for lots was Paul Harvey's, "So God Made A Farmer".
Both my grandparents were farmers. It was the way of survival in their day. I knever knew Grandpa Thompson (my dad's dad) but I did know Grandpa Woods (mom's dad). By the time I came around he had retired from farming, but it never left his soul. His gardens were huge and well maintained with nothing but manual tools. No gas powered tillers but a one tine push plow, no seeders but his hands. You respected Grandpa's gardens too as a child. You didn't go in them and play in the nice fine soil he had so carefully worked with his hands. You didn't walk on the plants accidently. You stood by the garden gate and waited for him and mom to harvest the vegetables and you sat on the porch with them, listening to their conversations while you helped with podding the peas or snapping the beans. I learned the value and respect of growing food from the land.
My dad raised livestock when I was growing up. We had lots of chickens at one time. Like three huge chicken coops full of the birds. All I remember of those days were to stay away from roosters. Those dudes were mean and would flog you. Didn't like those days but then he got into raising sheep. Different story there. They were gentle animals but if they have their babies in the wintertime, you stayed out there with the mama and if she rejected the baby you brought them into the house, raised them in the bathtub and kept it warms until they were stable enough to go back out their with the others. I bottle fed many a baby lamb. I remember the hard work and late nights him and mom both would have out in the barn.
For those narrow minded people that say farmers don't work but just sit around the coffee shop or the elvator doing nothing. That nothing is them watching the markets or talking to other farmers either about when to sell the grain or cattle or hogs or whatever they have decided to raise for us do nothings to eat, or when to wait the market out a little longer.
I worked in a tax office for 5 years and became aquainted with many farmers. The paper work and books that they have to kee makes a corporation's form look like a 1040EZ. I also worked in a propane company also that sold diesel to farmers. Farmers don't have a 8-5 job. They work long hard hours until the crops are planted or harvested. The company would deliver disel at 1am to the field if needed.
I grew up around farmers, farming community and farm land. My son did the same and has the love and respect of God and the farms as I do. For those narrow minded individuals that think farmers have it made, think twice. You are the one that have it made because of the farmer.
After a short delay we are back on with the Super Bowl commercials. I wait all year for this and was so excited for today. Missed a few of my commercials and go in on the end of Beyonce. Man she is beautiful. I loved the part of the show that I did see. I don't know why so many people are bad mouthing her.
I'm not much of a football fan but am enjoying watching. 49ers are coming back up after the power outage though. I like seeing that. I like that kid Colton Kaoebach or however you spell his name. They did a piece on him before the game, he's a good kid that comes from a good family. He's adopted, really a good story on him. The social work comes out in me on a good humanity story.
Some pretty good commercials were on tonight. Always, always, always love the Budweiser Clydesdale's. I saw them one year at the MO State Fair. They are so beautiful and majestic. I can't stand horses but I loved these beasts.
Don't know who is going to win and don't really care. I hold my allegiance to the MO teams, Chiefs and Royals. Neither one of them are that good but hey, ya gotta cheer for them.
Getting off of here. Talk to you tomorrow.
Woke up this morning to a wonderful message on my phone. A text from my cousin in Washington State. It made me feel warm and smile when I read it. Also talked to a couple of friends on the phone that made me feel good. One told me I sounded better than I have all week. (I've had a tough week, emotionally).
We also went and saw Silver Linings Playbook. Excellent movie and is one of my top favorites. Deserves every award they toss their direction. Robert De Niro is hilarious and Bradley Cooper is great along with Jennifer Lawrence. Loved, loved, loved it. Went out to eat at Outback before we went to the movie. Everything was so good, the day was beautiful and we got to spend some quality time with each other.
Sometimes just a little thing can make or break your day. Whether it is a smile, a touch, a look, a text, a phone call...no matter it can plan your day. Mine was good today. Still have the hidden anxiety that bubbles up a few times but everything is okay.
