Sunday, June 28, 2015

Early April 2015...short reflection on time

Time...everyone has 24 hours, but it seems no one has the same amount of time. Some days fly by and then there are weeks which D R A G so slow you think a year has passed before it's done.
I'm not wishing my life away, but this week has flown by. It seems the older I get, the faster it goes. We've already passed into April! Seems like we just celebrated the holidays. All of the summer things at Michaels are out, AND I'm sure before too long, the holidays will roll in.
I'm contemplating many things...I have two jobs so I can qualify for a home. One of those jobs supports my "habits" or rather it did. The other job pays my bills. With both jobs, AND other obligations, I have NO time...absolutely NO time OR place to enjoy my "habits"...this has caused some concern and refection on my part.
My "habits" are what make me...ME. I enjoy ME and I am thankful for the gifts, talents and abilities I have. VERY thankful. I want to share them...teach them...enjoy them. I don't think that's asking too much. However...it has come to my attention that I am in a vicious cycle...and need to change something...but what? That's where I am. So...
....I'm off to Michaels...and will ponder this perplexing situation a little longer...

Another Michaels Night

Well, working the register tonight I rung up $25.62 worth of merchandise for a woman. She was using "plastic", so I pushed the button for "card" then "enter" for the amount to register. She slide her card...put in the pin...and then the register said she owed $15.62 cents. I said, "Hmmmm....I wonder why it did that?"
She asked, "what?"
I said, "Well, it says you paid $10.00 and you owe $15.62.".
She says, "What did you do? Why did you put in $10.00???"
I replied, "Ma'am, I pushed the card button and enter. I didn't put in a specific amount."
She says, "Well, I didn't do it, so you must have done something!!!" AND she has become VERY, how shall we say...OH...you know...
I ask her to run the card again and see what happens...and she runs it twice, and it is declined twice. THEN she says to her friend, "HAH! His card is out of money. I'll use another one." NEVER once did she say anything else to me...not even an I'm sorry for ripping your head off verbally!!! WOW!
Another woman with her teenage daughters was leaving without buying something and I asked if they couldn't find what they were looking for? The woman says she was looking for "food coloring."
"Oh, I'll show you where it is. What color were you looking for?"
"Purple."
So, I got it and handed it to her. She asks me, "will it color everything?"
"Yes. Clothes, hands, foods of every kind. Be careful not to get it where you don't want it. What are you going to color?"
"My hair. I want to take the brassyness out."
There are MANY times I want to go home with some of these customers JUST TO WATCH what they are doing. Although there was ONE time when I NEVER would EVER want to go home with this one guy. EGADS!!!!!!!!!!!! I quit asking some people what their project was. Sometimes they tell you FAR too much.
AND when the lights go out, it's time to stop shopping and go to the register. Ten minutes later, I shouldn't have to ask if you need more help...only to have you say, "OH...I'm still shopping and I'll be done here in a bit." That's when I said, "well, they are closing up the registers if you want to buy any of the things you have."
There were other humorous things. The guy I kept passing while I was putting things away. He asked IF I was following him? NO...I thought you were following me! HAHA! There is NEVER a dull moment, that's for sure.
AND Zachary...sorry...none of those eggs. I even asked and some guy came and bought all we had left last Saturday.

Another Michaels story...

I have some very strong beliefs and they are important to me. I have the notion that everyone feels the same way about their beliefs.
Michaels gives three discounts...Military and CCSD Teachers...and AARP.
With that said...
...the other night a woman came up to the register next to the one I was running. She was putting her things on the counter and she wanted to know IF the CCSD tax exempt letter was on file as she didn't have it with her. She was told that you have to bring the letter in every time and fill out the form for the tax exempt advantage. Then she wanted the teacher discount...but didn't have her ID. I asked where she taught? A question I ask all of the CCSD teachers who come in wanting the discount. Just a way to get to know people who frequent the store, and a way to have something in common. Well, this is where I became irked. NOT because of where she worked, BUT because she was being dishonest and working the system. She said she taught at Lamb of God.
Maybe I was wrong, but "corporate" sets the rules...and "corporate" frequently breaks the rules...but they require us to "card" teachers to make sure they work for the CCSD; as that's who gets the discount. Same thing with JoAnn.
I guess I expect a certain level of honesty when you are dealing with a "religious" person. I expect a certain standard when a person is teaching children. AND no, this isn't the first time this has happened. I've lost count of the times people come in with tax exempt letters, and their business is a "church." Or the "tax exempt" people who are buying things for their family...and "work."
I find empty jewelry cards, which at one time had four or five crosses on them. What kind of religious person steals a cross? This is very perplexing to me.
I find all kinds of empty packages every night I work. I'm not the only one, everyone who does the go-backs and recovery at night finds things.
This is the downside of humanity. This is the part I hate about retail. This is the part which makes me question adults who are teaching their children it's okay to take things. No, I'm not impressed with people who yell at me, say derogatory things to me, question my intelligence because I work retail, or countless other things. It's the people who bring back merchandise they have used and lie about it, bring back merchandise that they have stolen...etc. It's just difficult to expect a higher standard from people.
Well, anyway, I'd love to see the purple hair...the spray painted baseball shirts...the "blinged" out camo shirt...
The entertainment part of the job is great! MOST of the people I talk to during a shift are great. AND my coworkers are fun and feel the same way I do. When I am telling them a story on the headset and they are laughing on the other side of the store...customers are puzzled as to what they are laughing at...makes a LONG evening fun.

From awhile back...April 15, 2015

Well, it's been two nights in a row at Michaels. Last night the wind was blowing over 50 MPH. When I got to work it was still possible to see the hotels downtown and "the strip." However, within half an hour you couldn't see across the street. This kid was running around in the parking lot trying to chase something; he never did get it, whatever it was, and I thought, why is his mother letting him run around, willy nillie, in a parking lot?! Who knows.
I'm all for the sexy look, in the bedroom, out for the evening, etc. BUT at Michaels?! Um...no. See thru clothing leaves nothing to the imagination, and some of the customers faces are priceless.
Another woman, mid 20's I'm guessing, wanted the "thing that makes the zipper open and shut." After explaining that no one sells "zipper parts," she told me "they must! How else would they make the zipper IF they didn't sell the parts?!" Hmmmm....let me thing?!?!?!? I explained that I have been sewing for over 50 years and companies make zippers, but they don't sell the individual parts. They make too many types of zippers with various sizes of teeth, etc. Then she asks, "well, if you have zippers here, I want to see them." Okay...so I take her to see the zippers. She wants to know how much they are. I explain that none of them are the type you would put in a back pack. She "doesn't care." She said she was going to take the "thingy" off the new one and put it on the zipper in the back pack. Hmmmm....okay. Another customer I'd like to go home with to see how this turns out.
A woman with a dependent military ID, taking advantage of the nice military discount we offer...then her friend checks out and wants to know IF she can use the military discount. "Do you have a military ID?" "No...I want to use hers!" GEEZE people...
I "usually" do my taxes in February or March...Jessica checks them over and sends them off. Well, she's been taking classes to graduate in May, and has been VERY busy with life. I've been busy as well; between 10:45 and just past midnight, we worked on my taxes. I slept from 12:45-5:20...
And so my day begins with very little sleep, but I'm ready to go. AND my grass is coming up! THAT'S positive!!!
I rarely, IN FACT never, have a bad day at work work. My real job. Not my Michaels part-time job. I love the music, enjoy the kids...most all of them, the banter, the fun, co-workers. It's just great. Today...an issue. It's resolved, but I felt bad that I wasn't able to get through to this Mom about what was going on. She just would NOT listen. BUT it's fixed...for the most part. She still doesn't get it, but it's okay.
I wasn't at Michaels ten minutes when I was asked to come to help at the registers. We were hammered most of the night, and left the projected sales in the dust.
My first customer...and older woman. She had some burlap trim, and some rolled burlap. Neither of which was on sale. BUT she insisted it was. So, I went over to see since it wasn't ringing up on sale. Nope. Neither of them were on sale. The stuff which was on sale was a different brand of "MESH," which is NOT burlap. I know the difference...oddly enough. SO, she doesn't want it, and takes her other things and goes.
Next up...a woman who "called earlier and spoke with______"...the store mgr. So, I'm talking to him on the headset. Yes, the Cricut Expressions Air with the special "Bundle" is up there on hold with her name on it. Sure enough...there it is. She has since showed us the picture of it on her phone, and explains EVERYTHING that comes with it. Several times she says, yes, this is it. This is the one. These are the things it's supposed to come with. She is becoming irritating in her attitude about it, sure that we don't know what we are doing and she does. SO...I ring her up, and she leaves. Comes back about 15 minutes later with this tape gun. "It doesn't have the two tape cartridges it's supposed to come with." More issues...someone else is handling it. THANKFULLY!
Burlap lady is back with the sale sign from the shelf. The sign I looked at before when she was buying the burlap. She slams the sign down on the counter. "There! I TOLD YOU IT WAS ON SALE!!!!" "Ma'am...this is for the plastic mesh...not the burlap." "Yes it is!!! I don't know why they hire people like you. You don't even know what the store has on sale, and you don't know what you are doing!!!" I ring up the burlap...less the 50%...thank you and have a nice evening....EGADS!!!
Lovely Sandra is in the line. She brings her things up and starts putting them up on the counter..."I'll be good...I don't want you to write about me..." We laugh. I told her she couldn't do ANYTHING compared to what I'd been through already. We talked and it was WONDERFUL to have someone nice to ring up. Hi to Christopher! She said he reads all of the stories. Other nice people followed.
Woman with a cart FULL of art supplies, who isn't familiar with simple math. She is nice, but half the cart was full...her total was over $45.00 and she only had $35.00. SO, her "guy" said, just get it. If you don't, I'll just come back and get it for you. I'm stunned...it isn't often we get guys like that. BUT she is picking out which Prismacolor Markers she wants. She brought up over a dozen, and only wanted 6. Fifteen minutes later we are almost done ringing up. So much for my "time" on sales. Corporate will understand...NOT!!!
Got to help a nice woman who'd had a stroke. She was having some speech problems, but we were able to communicate and she was lovely. She was trying to find out IF she won the trip to Paris that Michaels was doing. I had no idea who won, or if they had even done the drawing. BUT we started talking about Postcrossing.com and is going to "travel" that way. It was nice to visit with her.
AND guess who shows up?!?!?!? Cricut Expressions Air with the special Bundle woman. Yep....it's the wrong one and she wants to return it. OH MY GOSH!!!! I thought Chelsea (mgr. on duty tonight) was going to lose it!!!
We had a Dachshund come in. He was a cutie. Bunch of cute kids...well behaved. A couple of non-well behaved children, who didn't get their way and I was impressed. That's pretty much a first.
I remembered to get the meringue I've forgotten to get the last few times. Easter stuff is 80% off. I didn't succumb to any of it though. I've been pretty impressed with myself.
Such is the life of those who work with kids and retail. I want a job holding down a lounge chair by the beach next to the cabana boy...with a virgin pina colada.
Well, Archimedes is caterwauling at the back door. Must be time to go to bed.

Friday, June 26, 2015

OH....that slippery slope

There are so many "slippery slopes" out there. I wrote about this over a year ago. I am not against love and equality, but the steps taken are merely stepping stones. They lead to other paths. Every issue and every decision I see in the news on a daily basis leads somewhere. It doesn't just stop there. Some days I think I am the only one who sees this; but then I see others with the same opinions as mine. So, I know there are others out there who don't see just one story, they see multiple stories following. There are some who cater to the environment and what it does to the unborn child, yet in the next sentence are for abortion. That in itself, to me is an oxymoron. A cake won't be made...OH YES it will...you will make it or you will lose your rights to make it. AND people lose their business. A flag comes down...what is next? One side says, "our rights will prevail" and they are happy to be taking away the rights of others. We all have rights. Just because we gain rights doesn't mean the rights of others should become negligent. When you lose your rights because you are being forced to do something you don't want to do, or you don't believe in, that's wrong. 
IF someone comes in to Michaels, such as last night, looking for a certain item, and we don't carry it, for WHATEVER reason, is the person going to sue Michaels? Who knows? At Christmas time, we get customers looking for Hanukkah items. Various Michaels stores do have Hanukkah things, but not all of them. It just depends on the area. So...does that person sue the store? Or go to a store which carries the items wanted. It's SO simple. I've gone to "Christian" book stores and asked for certain books...they don't carry them. They tell me those aren't "Christian" books! Hmmmm....really. I never sued any of them over it.
Every day I see people professing that EVERY one should have their rights. No one should be denied their rights. Yet, IF their rights infringe on the others rights...who is right. AND then there's a fight.
For those of you who don't get it, I'm sorry. There is a war going on here. A huge war where one of these days you will HAVE to choose a side. There are only two sides. Fence sitters have chosen a side whether they think they have or not. Some of you will shake your heads and say NO...there is no war here. Yes, there is a war going on. AND the one who will loose in the end is becoming desperate. Very desperate. He doesn't want to lose. AND he doesn't do anything SO blatant that everyone will see what's really happening; no he does things little by little...using somewhat pleasing stepping stones to accomplish his end result. Most look at it and say, I can live with that...it's fine, never looking down the road to what's ahead. There are some who live with blinders on. There are some sliding VERY quickly down that slippery slope...some are clinging at the top. Some are looking the other way. Some are standing firm. Some have ropes trying to help others back up the slippery slope. BUT it's there. Some say it's "progress." Progress to what?
In other countries, young girls are given in marriage. It is their laws. IF they move here...they might like to exercise those laws. OR at least live them. Most ALL of you are appalled by that. We will never let that happen here you say. Well, that slippery slope gets pretty slick...and sometimes there isn't anything to hold on to when it comes right down to it. Once you get rid of everything you hold near and dear to hold on to, that leaves nothing.
So, we have another stone in our path. Some may call it a stepping stone to other things, some will call it another stone for a wall. Yet others will see it as a rock they must get past.
Before anyone gets their panties in a wrinkle, please know, I DO love everyone. I accept and respect you just the way you are. I believe everyone is walking the same path I am. It's full of road blocks, full of thorns. Some of you have helped me get past some of my roadblocks, and I have helped some of you. THAT'S what we are here for. To help, serve and love one another. EVEN if we don't agree with their opinions, ideas, beliefs, etc. Especially when we don't agree. That is going the extra mile.
So, while we are relishing in our successes, what ever they are today and in the future, remember those who come behind you and those who were ahead of you. Those who come after us, ten, twenty, one hundred years down the road...may question our decisions. They may think we were crazy, horrible, unbelievable. They may even be horrified by what we do. Those who came before us may be thinking the same things. BUT we, as with our ancestors, are only doing what we believe is right for our times.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Yes, we ALL have rights!

IF EVERYONE was allowed to "remove" EVERYTHING which was offensive to them, I wonder...would there be ANYTHING left???? Think about what "bugs" you, or what YOU find offensive. Somewhere someone must like it or it wouldn't be there. I almost made a comment about someone trying to get rid of the Westboro Baptist Church. The things they do and the hurt they have caused REALLY offends me. BUT do they have rights? Geeze...seems like we have to walk on egg shells in every conversation, every move we make, etc. Are other countries like this? Do they cater to every whim various individuals/groups have? Do they cave at every corner because someone is offended? What is wrong here? I learned long ago. You can please most of the people most of the time, some of the people some of the time but you will NEVER please EVERYONE ALL of the time. It isn't possible. That means you have to give and take. YOU have control over your emotions. You have control over you. I have lived with depression for decades. There are mornings I wake up and I have to tell myself OVER, and over and over...TODAY is going to be a GREAT day. I don't try to blame things on others. I deal with it. I can't possibly be the only one who does this. WHY do people have to force their opinions, ideas, ideals, issues, agendas, etc. on everyone. We don't all believe the same things, we don't all have the same opinions or ideas. IF we did, there wouldn't be a need for everyone. There would just be a need for one person. A carbon copy of everyone else. No...each one of us is unique. I have many friends. We have some things in common, and the rest we either accept or ignore. When you "force" your agendas, issues, etc. on others...soon there will be no one left for you to force. You will have alienated everyone.
I don't see a possible end in sight. What I see from my little corner of the world is businesses, mostly small family owned businesses closing their doors because of beliefs, wages, and rights. I see the government caving to various groups because of "rights" and wants. I see hatred brewing because some are losing their rights because others are forcing theirs.
While I look at if from a religious point of view, it all makes sense. I know from what I've studied over the years that it is only going to get worse...before it gets better. For me it's kind of like the "Ninja" roller coaster my kids had me go on back in 1995. Standing in line was okay. We visited, etc. The anticipation building as to what the experience was going to be like. The we piled into one of the "cars" and took off...UP, UP, UP...and then I looked down...EGADS!!!!!!!!!!!!! I looked ahead! EGADS even more!!! I just shut my eyes, held on and prayed. I felt the car looping over and over, up and down, around curves, etc. When we got to the end and finally stopped, I sent up a prayer of thanks, peeled myself off of the floor, let go of the bar...yes, my knuckles were white. I tried to stand...I was SO shaky, it took a few minutes. BUT it was over. I made it. I LIVED!!!
That's the way I see things from my little corner of the world. I'm holding on as tight as I can. I'm praying. I'm trying to focus on the BIG picture. I'm trying to be happy in my chaotic, crazy life. I delete things which bring negativity to my life. I focus on the positive, the happy, the joy. I change the things I can in my world. I serve where I can. I smile at everyone and try to bring peace and happiness to those I come in contact with...regardless of their color, sexual orientation, religion, beliefs, etc. Coexisting in the world...getting along with others. These are things we learn in kindergarten people. Sharing. Playing well with others. If, at the moment, you don't get along with someone on the playground, find another friend. Maybe tomorrow you will get along. Have fun. Climb the trees, swing on the now non-existent swings. Hang on the monkey bars. Wait your turn in line. Don't push or hit...or kick. Respect everyone's things. Don't get into someone's desk. Don't touch things which aren't yours. Don't kill. Don't destroy. Wait your turn, you will get one. Think of others. These are basic life skills. Everyone learned them, WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED?!!?!?!?
Are we so far removed from Kindergarten we've forgotten what those patient, loving, caring Kindergarten teacher taught us? Why do some people choose to make life SO hard. Use the basic rules. It doesn't have to be hard...you make it hard. You have a choice. Make good ones.
Okay...that's my rant for the day. Have a GREAT day! I LOVE you!!!

Sunday, June 21, 2015

There seems to be a HUGE misunderstanding and possibly some confusion out there



There seems to be some type of misunderstanding and confusion in the masses. There are people who think and or believe that people who are “Christian” or “Religious” are perfect. This, in my opinion is COMPLETELY untrue, even wrong—at least as far as I’m concerned. This misunderstanding is becoming more and more apparent as life in this world becomes more and more hedonistic, wicked, evil, and even heathenish. Pick a word for it. Everyone questions what is going on. Christian or religious sects are being blamed for many things. I’m seeing where various groups and factions are in an uproar over whose rights are more important. I’m not going to go there. BUT I am going to talk about this “perfection” theory which seems to be abounding on all sides.
I was brought up in a Christian home; depending on the time and year, you could find us in various church buildings. My first introduction to religion was in the Church I chose to become a member of over 50 years ago; as I said, I attended many different churches of various beliefs well into my teens. All of these churches had many things in common. In fact, IF more people would take the time to find these comparisons instead of differences, they would probably be pleasantly surprised. I have been fascinated by religion all of my life; why some people choose one religion over another, AND the reasons for doing so, are as varied as the religions themselves.
I have found that in religion, whether it be Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, etc. you have the casual participants on one end and then the fanatics on the other, and everything in between, not to leave out many factions and off-shoots of all religions. In all of this, there is no one…absolutely NO one who is perfect. This is of course my opinion. I believe there was only one who was perfect; one who was so perfect, He and only He, could suffer the sins of ALL His brothers and sisters. Even those who do not believe in Him; and He seems fine with that. Granted, I have, over the years, run into people who “think” they are perfect. Let me confirm…they are not; nothing could be further from the truth. They are totally mistaken in their thinking; just as those who are not of any religious belief are wrong in thinking that every religious person “thinks” they are perfect. I do believe completely that we come close to perfection in some of the many aspects of Christianity; it could be forgiveness, listening, loving, caring, sharing, teaching, giving, compassion, charity, understanding or any other trait which can be perfected on over time.
As I said, this is my own opinion, my musings for today. So, what is a Christian? I know there’s a technical definition, one which is used by the norm. But to me, religion, faith and beliefs are a personal thing, defined by those who live them. So, what do I believe a Christian is? As a Christian, I believe it is someone who believes in and follows Christ. I believe it is someone who has taken the time or is taking the time to get to know who the Savior is, what he taught and what we need to do as followers. I believe that church buildings are “hospitals” for those wanting to be fixed from the “things” of the world. I do not believe a church is where perfect people go. At Church, I know I will be “fed” and uplifted. I will find solace from the cares of the world. I will learn how to be a better me. To me being a Christian is loving others as best as you can, striving hard to love more every day. It means listening when someone needs you to. It means forgiving; not only when it’s easy to do, but when it isn’t. It’s showing understanding of others…showing compassion and sharing what we have with others. It’s being thankful for what we have and knowing where what we have came from. It is praising God for blessing me so greatly. But it is not being perfect; just working towards becoming better each day…and maybe someday being as close to perfect as we possibly can in this life.
I believe it’s living your religion 24 hours a day. This isn’t just a Sunday thing…for me; it’s a 24 hour thing. IF I just lived it on Sunday’s, it would take much longer to get to that “best” benchmark.
When I see the actions of some of these who portray themselves as “Christians,” I am beside myself. I don’t even want to be grouped in with them. It is obvious to me that they do not believe in the same Christianity I believe in. I do not hate others. I may not like the behaviors of some, but I still love them, or try to. I do not understand the scriptures the way in which they are portraying them. Christ taught to love everyone, even your enemies. I personally don’t think He’s very happy with some of the actions of these “Christians,” yet I know He forgives them, loves them, and He suffered for what they are doing in His name…and I must do the same. BUT I am not perfect. Sometimes when I see things I believe are wrong, I forget that a loving Heavenly Father gave us the opportunity to make choices. I don’t always agree with the choices others make, but I respect their right to make those choices. It is a God-given right.
So, please don’t think that because we, Christians or other religions, enter a Church, Synagogue, or Mosque, etc. on Sunday or any other day of the week, it’s because we are perfect. We enter because we are trying to become the best we can be. We are working to overcome faults and imperfections we see in ourselves…
These are my beliefs and my opinions. There may be others out there who feel the same; trying to help others as we help ourselves. Please be patient…God isn’t done with us yet. 

Saturday, June 20, 2015



June 8th, 1955-----present...THE BIG 60!!! Sixty.
That dash between 1955 and the present has been filled with SO much.
Over 20 moves; 14 schools.
First plane ride was over the Pacific in 1956...I was 10 months.
I've lived in at least 7 states and have traveled through/stayed in 11 others.
My first job was babysitting at 25¢ an hour in 1966; I gave myself a raise in 1968 to 50¢ an hour. In the 70's I had another raise to $1.00 an hour.
I LOVED babysitting; it gave me a chance to take care of children. I've always loved babies and children. I'm thankful the gift of motherhood was part of this dash. I love my four children, the mates they have brought into my dash, and the grandchildren I have so far.
I loved school and learning, and still do. I love teaching. It wasn't unusual for me to look at the pages in my text books and memorize what was on that page, just by looking at it, especially math. While my teacher was instructing the other students, I was looking to see what the homework was and doing it all before class was over.
I learned to swim when I was two; I had walked to the beach from our home, a policeman found me alone at the beach and I actually told him my address: 177 Kuukama St. I love numbers and remember the addresses of the homes we've lived in over the years. As well as SO much trivial information, I have been a "phone-a-friend" many times. People ask me things and more often than not, I will know the answer. These are random things, at times catching me off-guard, but we are all pleasantly surprised when the answer is there.
I have taught myself many things over the years; some of them I am proficient at, others just piqued my interest and I enjoy them. The piano was first, I was 9. I play for my own enjoyment. Playing it will bring me from the depths of despair to a state of euphoria. It brings me peace and comfort. I learned to sew when I was 9 also. This has been my main outlet for ALL of my dreams and desires. The things I've created over the years are countless. Clothes and costumes for me, children, my ex, my mom and dad, friends, classmates, neighbors, etc. The kids knew, and still know, that they can bring me a photo of ANYTHING and I will create it. No problem. I made my first quilt when I was about 14 from scraps from the clothes I'd made. That started another love. I learned to embroider when I was 8, followed by crewel, crocheting and knitting.
I learned fun of cake decorating by decorating cookies when I was 5 and 6. I made all of the birthday cakes for my children when they were growing up. It's fun, I enjoy it and it's something creative to do.
I've always loved to draw and paint. Whether it's a doodle in a meeting, or painting a canvas or a wall, I love it all. I collect bird houses and love to paint them. I love folk art and tole painting; had some fun painting on glass and metal.
I love to write; having kept journals since I was about 12. I found that writing poetry was also therapeutic when I was in my 30's. Writing poems allowed the release of pain and despair. I wrote a children's book...which sits in a drawer.
The outdoors is one of my greatest pleasures; I love camping, gardening, nature hikes/walks, etc. I love to plant things and watch them grow. When I was growing up, I wanted to know what every flower, tree, plant, etc. was and where they grow. I do have a green thumb.
I love old cars and working on cars, although I don't work on them much anymore, there was a time when I did and I enjoyed it. BUT I usually know the make and year of an old car/truck. Nothing like a good car show!
I've dabbled in architectural drawing. I just enjoy designing homes. There was a time when I would have enjoyed building homes, decorating and landscaping them.
I had fun modeling, doing commercials and being an extra in various TV shows and movies. The money was good...most of the parts were too. I was asked to read for a certain movie once and after reading the part of the script they wanted me to read for, I walked out. The girl stopped me and questioned what I was doing. I told her I would never be in a movie and use that kind of language...it paid well, but wasn't for me.
I love researching and genealogy, organizing, scrapbooking, and documenting history. I love writing letters.
If there was something I didn't know how to do, and I wanted to do it, I taught myself how. YouTube has been a great thing lately with some of those things.
While I can be a quiet, old fashioned, simple woman, because I am a Gemini, I also have that loud, spirited completely insane maniac which comes out at times. I LOVE life and while I have a very dark side, more often than not, the light side is usually out.
I have loved to bake since I was a small child; making cookies and cakes is something I enjoy...and it's beginning to show. When I was a child, I liked meat and potatoes....NO vegetables...just corn. AND my food couldn't touch other food on the plate; I ate one thing at a time until it was done and moved on to the next thing. Casseroles and anything but Tomato Soup were OUT! All of the various things touched each other. EGADS! I have a child like that. BUT when I started dating Bruce and we would go to "Granny's" every Sunday, I learned to LOVE vegetables and fruits, casseroles and soups. She taught me all of my cooking skills and I LOVED that woman. She was incredible.
I enjoy most kinds of music, and LOVE to dance. Took ballet when I was 9. And here's something, a little tidbit, most people do not know. My first "boyfriend" had a band. He asked a friend of mine and me IF we wanted to be the "dancers" with the band. We thought that was a GREAT idea and made all of these matching outfits...when the band had a gig and played somewhere, WE were the "dancer's" on the stage. OH the insanity of that. But it was fun.
I saw a lot of drinking and smoking as a child...saw what it did to people and families. Made a decision as a child that I would never do either. 60 years of being clean and sober. Pretty glad I never had to deal with these vices/dragons.
As a child I had short hair all the time; bangs were cut using the scotch-tape method. GADS!!!! When I was in the 7th grade, I was done with that. I'd always wanted LONG hair, and I was going to have it. It's been long ever since, except for when I was in the accident and part of it was whacked short by the people in the ER. So, then I had to have it in a "shag" cut for awhile. There are times when I contemplate a different do, but it's a fleeting thought and I keep it just like this.
So, in a few minutes, it will be the day of my birth. I will be 60. I remember when I thought that IF someone was 30, they were OLD, OLD, OLD! Then when I was 30 I thought that 50 must be the new OLD. Now I believe that living to 100 might be old. I don't know what tomorrow will hold for me. Or the next decade. BUT I know from the past that there will be excitement, joy, fun, trials, challenges, changes, and life. There will be more to add to my dash. More memories, events, family, friends....




















Just my 2 bits...in case you didn't know, that's a quarter


I feel bad about AH...
They did the state quarters, which I collected 5 sets. Then they did the set of quarters for National parks...
I don't see how they will pick one woman to replace AH. This is just my opinion, but I think they should do a series of quarters picking MANY of the women who have done much in the way of science, education, history, government, inventions, medicine, space programs, the "suffragettes", westward expansion, discoveries, sports, music, arts, etc. My gosh, there are SO many to choose from. But to just pick one woman...how is that even fair to all of the other women who have done incredibly amazing things for our country.
I carry more quarters than I do $10.00 bills. AND in the cash drawer, there are always ones, fives and twenties...rarely a ten spot.
THIS is just my opinion, but...

Short muse

That's how we got through it. That's how my children go through it. It's a hard thing to realize, and most don't want to admit it, but in life there will be difficult things we go through. Each time we go through something we become stronger and better able to handle other more difficult things. Please understand, I don't like bullying. It would be nice IF everyone could get along and play well with others. BUT we don't. I don't care who you are, it doesn't always work that way. People desire to label themselves, and when they do, labels get tossed to and fro and someone gets "hurt." I work at a school where we have the "Be Kind" program. I see a LOT of "Be Kind" shirts during the week. Is everything perfect at the school? OH heck no!!! I can't even begin to go into it. We preach "Be Kind" and we talk "Be Kind" and we have bullying. It's there. Cold, hard facts. Buck up friends...this too shall pass...and we will be stronger. I lived through it. Now and then it comes up. Stick together. When it happens and you can't take it, reach out for a friend. That's what they are there for. To lift you when you are down.
Some days things seem so easy; life seems to be in place and everything is going well. I said some days, not every day. I have moments. Moments when everything is awesome, and the rest...well, it isn't awesome, it's just and "enduring" time. I just try to get through it. That's how most of my days go. Take it one minute at a time. Don't overload. Enjoy those precious moments in time when ALL of the awesomeness comes together. Today, for the last two hours has been a "what can I do to get through this?" kind of morning. Nothing is wrong. Nothing has happened to me. I'm fine. BUT my blood is racing through my body, I've been on the verge of a total breakdown and I can't seem to get rid of this weepy feeling. Like I said. Nothing is wrong. Nothing has happened. I'm fine. The status quo hasn't changed.
Maybe it's the anticipation. There are things happening which I have no control over and I see things. Yes, sometimes dead people, but that's a different thing. Tomorrow is Father's day. Yes, I miss my dad. He loved me. Called me "sis" and "Miss Priss." Even though he wasn't a huge part of my life growing up, he loved me. I remember the first Father's Day gift I ever made him. AND oddly enough, I think it's in storage. I made it in the 3rd grade. It was a fish. I sewed it by hand, at school no less. I recall the print of the fabric and everything. The buttons for the eyes, etc. Do I remember the other Father's Days...nope. Not a one. I don't think he was a part of our lives during the next dozen Father's Days. I'm sure I did things for him. I made him these Lemon Cakes he loved. I cooked for him. Sat and watched countless "shoot 'em ups" with him. He taught me to root for the "guys with the white hats....those are the good guys." I miss him.
The nonexistent 40th wedding anniversary will be in two weeks. It would be nice to one day have some closure to this. Yes, I let it go. BUT the why's are still with me. It's hard sometimes when you don't know why. OR what. I loved being married. Loved having my little family...which has now grown by two wonderful in-laws and soon another one of those...and two grandchildren. AND there will be more. I miss taking them all on trips and outings. BUT I LOVE getting together with them. I am SO THANKFUL to be in the same city with ALL of them. There are some families who have children scattered ALL over the world. Mine are all within 10 miles. It's more of a blessing than I can sometimes handle. There are things I wish were different.....
When I came home last night with Lucas and Jenna, the guy across the street was mowing my yard again. Lucas asked, "Grandmomma! WHY is he taking all the grass??? What is he doing?" I explained that he was doing an incredible kindness. One in which he has done three other times in the last month or so. A kindness I don't know how to repay. He said he is going to Seattle for three months...to get away from the heat. I sang the Kindness song to L and J and explained to them how being kind and doing things for others can be the BEST thing in the world. That people who are kind to others are the best people. I hope they understand. What a blessing.
Time to do something. Time to have breakfast...whooops...lunch...better turn on my phone and see if someone is trying to reach me.