This link popped up on my Facebook news feed a few weeks back.
It is a "click-thru" on the 7 Toxic Behaviors that Push Other's Away.
Being Envious
Being Overly Sensitive
Playing the Victim
Constant Negativity
Lacking Self Control
Being Superficial
Being Cruel
It all boils down to simply taking every thought captive and banishing negative influences.
I have noticed that since I vowed this year to cultivate "the attitude of gratitude," being thankful for everything, good, bad, and otherwise, how much more my life has improved!
I am enjoying God's Blessings that He keeps pouring out into my life!
Since (finally) participating in Financial Peace University last Fall, I have learned that God will bless me if I stay faithful to His Word, in my tithing and control of my finances. Positive proof: my inheritance and my new car!
I have begun thanking everyone on my team for their hard work everyday ( well...most days) to let them know how much I appreciate them.
I try to steer clear of jumping on the "Bash Wagon," posting negativity or spreading gossip. I've started posting only positive affirmations on that "evil" Facebook monster.
I have turned up my prayers, careful to always thank the Lord for the amazing things that He is doing around me.
I have also been praying, very diligently, for the salvation of those lost souls who fall into these seven toxic behaviors, I see them in a huge, negative spiral, where actions continue to repeat themselves over and over again.
Food for thought
In all things give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you all. ~1 Thessalonians 5:18
Showing posts with label Making a Better Me. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Making a Better Me. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Bringing Sexy Back
Not sure who Steven Aitchison is, but he hit the nail on the head.
Thank you for the reminder not only that I AM sexy, I am also
WORTHY.
~enJOY
Monday, January 18, 2016
MLK Day 2016
Make the most of the opportunities you are presented
Volunteer to change someone's life.
~EnJOY
Friday, January 1, 2016
Hello 2016!
Good morning 2016!
I look forward to the promise and new adventure that you hold.
As always,
EnJOY!
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Forgiveness
"But to you who are listening, I say: LOVE your enemies, DO GOOD to those who hate you, BLESS those who curse you, and PRAY for those who mistreat you."
Luke 6:27-28
This week's message was probably the most powerful and eye opening message I've heard so far. It unlocked something that my life has been lacking for a long time
FORGIVENESS.
I need to stop holding on to the bitterness and resentment. I need to forgive D/H and the ho for what they did to me. In the end God WILL punish them (and He may be already) but that is not my concern. But that also does not mean I should not be praying for them to seek His Truth before it's too late.
I am to RELEASE those who have offended me. Not to wait for the apology to forgive. It is the only way to move forward, and trust someone again. Dare I let myself love again. When things in my life (finances, career, relational, spiritual, overall health) got better IMMEDIATELY after he left, I missed the sign. Never again.
With that said....D/H... I release you.
The hurt you caused me.
The pain, bitterness, and resentment I have harbored in my heart.
Making you better in my mind than you really were.
Thinking I could not go on with out you.
Because you are the one who has to live with what you did. Not me.
You are the one who has to live with someone willing to cheat on someone. Who thinks so little of the sanctity of a holy union, that they will never trust you or be trustworthy themselves. Not me.
You are the one who everyone said would not amount to much, and in the end you are proving them right. Not me.
I forgive you
And now I can forget you
Luke 6:27-28
This week's message was probably the most powerful and eye opening message I've heard so far. It unlocked something that my life has been lacking for a long time
FORGIVENESS.
I need to stop holding on to the bitterness and resentment. I need to forgive D/H and the ho for what they did to me. In the end God WILL punish them (and He may be already) but that is not my concern. But that also does not mean I should not be praying for them to seek His Truth before it's too late.
I am to RELEASE those who have offended me. Not to wait for the apology to forgive. It is the only way to move forward, and trust someone again. Dare I let myself love again. When things in my life (finances, career, relational, spiritual, overall health) got better IMMEDIATELY after he left, I missed the sign. Never again.
With that said....D/H... I release you.
The hurt you caused me.
The pain, bitterness, and resentment I have harbored in my heart.
Making you better in my mind than you really were.
Thinking I could not go on with out you.
Because you are the one who has to live with what you did. Not me.
You are the one who has to live with someone willing to cheat on someone. Who thinks so little of the sanctity of a holy union, that they will never trust you or be trustworthy themselves. Not me.
You are the one who everyone said would not amount to much, and in the end you are proving them right. Not me.
I forgive you
And now I can forget you
Saturday, August 22, 2015
Busiest Time of the Year
Sorry y'all. This is a super busy time for me.
Our annual sales meeting in the very near future. I am really not looking forward to it this year.
I have barely had any time to see Huck this week.
Since my last post I have\
1) went to my 30 year reunion cook out
2) had my roof replaced, finally
3) had my yard landscaped one good time, a surprise from Huck!
4) discussed making minor repairs and painting the house.
Huck has a really talented crew of folks! I can't wait for the work to start!
Life is not good...It's GREAT!
Our annual sales meeting in the very near future. I am really not looking forward to it this year.
I have barely had any time to see Huck this week.
Since my last post I have\
1) went to my 30 year reunion cook out
2) had my roof replaced, finally
3) had my yard landscaped one good time, a surprise from Huck!
4) discussed making minor repairs and painting the house.
Huck has a really talented crew of folks! I can't wait for the work to start!
Life is not good...It's GREAT!
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Monday, April 6, 2015
Changing Your Perspective
Life is much more positive these days. Most likely because I am reminding myself of something I had forgotten over the years.
I AM AWESOME
In the early years I didn't have to remind myself of this fact. But slowly, as I became more and more involved in others lives, I somewhere lost my own. It was almost as if I lost my identity. Then there was the constant barrage of negative energy;
One can only bear so much negativity before they crack.
The passive-aggressiveness, the "well let me tell you how bad MY day was because it is so much worse than yours," the feelings of being unappreciated regardless of the sacrifices, the snide comments, belittling, or picking on ones insecurities, the constant stress of having to be the responsible one, the mystery illnesses and freak accidents, never owning up to anything, making excuses for everything, the constant disappointment of broken promises, the lies and deceit.
But not anymore
POSITIVIY IS A CHOICE
I choose to be amazing.
Friday, March 20, 2015
International Day of Happiness
Today is the International Day of Happiness!
Woo Hoo!
Read more about it HERE.
It happily coincides with the morning after a date with an uber-hottie I will call Gib.
Gib is a regular at the Super Popular National Chain Wings establishment that Julz works for. He saw me at the Globetrotters game. His parents had taken them all for a family outing, just like us.
Gib is younger than me by almost five years. divorced with two young boys. He is a former football player for Ole Miss, and is everything that implies. Tall, broad shouldered, athletic, with a megawatt smile, and cool, blue eyes. He was truly too cute to be real.
We chatted over French fries and naked tenders, while March Madness raged on around us.
He had been a lawyer, just like his father, but didn't really like it. When he relocated to Birmingham from just outside Jackson (yes, Jackson, again) his college roommate suggested he come work with him, just to get the bills paid He loved it and has been in sales ever since.
His marriage of 14 years broke up a year and a half ago after he and his wife grew apart. Unlike my friend Jody, it was not an amicable break up.
He was sweet, and polite, and engaging.
I hope our next date is somewhere not so loud
In the meantime
Let's Celebrate HAPPINESS!!
Woo Hoo!
Read more about it HERE.
It happily coincides with the morning after a date with an uber-hottie I will call Gib.
Gib is a regular at the Super Popular National Chain Wings establishment that Julz works for. He saw me at the Globetrotters game. His parents had taken them all for a family outing, just like us.
Gib is younger than me by almost five years. divorced with two young boys. He is a former football player for Ole Miss, and is everything that implies. Tall, broad shouldered, athletic, with a megawatt smile, and cool, blue eyes. He was truly too cute to be real.
We chatted over French fries and naked tenders, while March Madness raged on around us.
He had been a lawyer, just like his father, but didn't really like it. When he relocated to Birmingham from just outside Jackson (yes, Jackson, again) his college roommate suggested he come work with him, just to get the bills paid He loved it and has been in sales ever since.
His marriage of 14 years broke up a year and a half ago after he and his wife grew apart. Unlike my friend Jody, it was not an amicable break up.
He was sweet, and polite, and engaging.
I hope our next date is somewhere not so loud
In the meantime
Let's Celebrate HAPPINESS!!
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Week Of Love...Well That Is What Rick and Bubba Are Calling It
So this is the "week of love." Or at least that is what Rick and Bubba call the week in which Valentine's Day falls. That is THIS SATURDAY for all you procrastinators.
Usually this week is spent on rating the top love songs of all times, gleaning ideas for creative Valentine's Day gifts for their wives, and playing match-maker, usually between the college-aged interns.
And, on occasion, they will discuss ways that listeners can enrich their own marital lives.
Today, this article on Facebook caught my eye. It is a list of 10 Ugly Things AWFUL HUSBANDS Do To Their Wives.
It is no secret, I had an AWFUL HUSBAND and it comes as no surprise that he was guilty of EVERY SINGLE ITEM on this list. And given my discussion with Ex Wife Number One, he was guilty of all of them in their marriage too. Sadly, this is an established habit that will continue to repeat itself. Though not exactly a Proverbs 31 wife, I had come closer than EWNO, and for nearly three times as long. But I was probably most hurt. I was working to build a life with someone who didn't appreciate anything that I did.
I could not overcome his issues that were surely formed at a very young age. Just like Tigger and Kit-Kat, D/H's biological mother walked out on him when he was five. She then went on to a string of short-term marriages (6 now at last count), some of which were abusive. Rather than learning that one must work on thier relationships, she chose the less fulfilling hedonistic part of relationships, and walked when it no longer "felt good." On to the next one.
John Croyle, a well respected child advocate there in my state, says that a child learns where they stand with a parent by the time they are six. So despite being raised most of his life with a loving, Christian step-mother, the damage was already done and it manifested itself if the way he treated the women in his life. They were good for the "honeymoon" stage, where it is all sunshine and rainbows. but when it came time to work, he was ready to move on. Until he learns that ALL relationships eventually require work, namely compromise and sacrifice, he will wind up just like her, bouncing from relationship to relationship.
So, in the interest of nuturing relatonships, please remember, it is not always going to be sunshine and roses. There will be times when you must carry one another. Sometimes you must both crawl. But the point is to get where you are going together.
Read Nurturing Marriage HERE
~EnJOY
Usually this week is spent on rating the top love songs of all times, gleaning ideas for creative Valentine's Day gifts for their wives, and playing match-maker, usually between the college-aged interns.
And, on occasion, they will discuss ways that listeners can enrich their own marital lives.
Today, this article on Facebook caught my eye. It is a list of 10 Ugly Things AWFUL HUSBANDS Do To Their Wives.
It is no secret, I had an AWFUL HUSBAND and it comes as no surprise that he was guilty of EVERY SINGLE ITEM on this list. And given my discussion with Ex Wife Number One, he was guilty of all of them in their marriage too. Sadly, this is an established habit that will continue to repeat itself. Though not exactly a Proverbs 31 wife, I had come closer than EWNO, and for nearly three times as long. But I was probably most hurt. I was working to build a life with someone who didn't appreciate anything that I did.
I could not overcome his issues that were surely formed at a very young age. Just like Tigger and Kit-Kat, D/H's biological mother walked out on him when he was five. She then went on to a string of short-term marriages (6 now at last count), some of which were abusive. Rather than learning that one must work on thier relationships, she chose the less fulfilling hedonistic part of relationships, and walked when it no longer "felt good." On to the next one.
John Croyle, a well respected child advocate there in my state, says that a child learns where they stand with a parent by the time they are six. So despite being raised most of his life with a loving, Christian step-mother, the damage was already done and it manifested itself if the way he treated the women in his life. They were good for the "honeymoon" stage, where it is all sunshine and rainbows. but when it came time to work, he was ready to move on. Until he learns that ALL relationships eventually require work, namely compromise and sacrifice, he will wind up just like her, bouncing from relationship to relationship.
So, in the interest of nuturing relatonships, please remember, it is not always going to be sunshine and roses. There will be times when you must carry one another. Sometimes you must both crawl. But the point is to get where you are going together.
Read Nurturing Marriage HERE
~EnJOY
Saturday, January 31, 2015
One Step Closer
The past few weeks have been pretty average, with the possible exception of the large tire tracks through my front yard.
I discovered them a couple of weekends back. My mother had called to tell me that it was sleeting in nearby TrussVegas. I opened the front door to see if it was sleeting here at home and there they were. I know they could not have been there the day before. They could not have been more clear had they been outlined in red. Disturbingly, they went around my house and stopped next to my patio.
Even more disturbingly, they also ran smack over my septic tank. The easy-access lid, slightly off kilter.
Nothing was missing, except my push mower.
After filing a police report. I set about making plans for a new fence. I priced fencing at a few places and called The Chief to ask if he thought we could tackle that sort of project.
Ever the researcher, it was not long before he had weighed the pros and cons and all of the ups and downs of doing it ourselves and having the pro's do it. By sundown, I was on the schedule to get a new, professionally installed fence.
Now initially I just wanted this side to close the gap caused by the tornado a few years back. Actually, the trees also damaged the drive through gate on the other side as well. The top bar was damaged and it no longer closed properly.
We never had enough money to both fix the rood and replace the fence. As a matter of fact, we didn't have enough to adequately replace the roof. I am stuck with half a Raggedy Ann patch work roof job. Finally I am in a position to close the gap and stop thieving interlopers from driving their cars around my house.
I wanted to move it back to the back side of the house so that all the utilities were accessible without going through the fence.
The stick, marks my septic tank, just in case any one else tries to run over my septic tank.
Not only did I finally get the gap closed up, the parentals surprised me with a brand new gate!
I discovered them a couple of weekends back. My mother had called to tell me that it was sleeting in nearby TrussVegas. I opened the front door to see if it was sleeting here at home and there they were. I know they could not have been there the day before. They could not have been more clear had they been outlined in red. Disturbingly, they went around my house and stopped next to my patio.
Even more disturbingly, they also ran smack over my septic tank. The easy-access lid, slightly off kilter.
Nothing was missing, except my push mower.
After filing a police report. I set about making plans for a new fence. I priced fencing at a few places and called The Chief to ask if he thought we could tackle that sort of project.
Ever the researcher, it was not long before he had weighed the pros and cons and all of the ups and downs of doing it ourselves and having the pro's do it. By sundown, I was on the schedule to get a new, professionally installed fence.
Now initially I just wanted this side to close the gap caused by the tornado a few years back. Actually, the trees also damaged the drive through gate on the other side as well. The top bar was damaged and it no longer closed properly.
We never had enough money to both fix the rood and replace the fence. As a matter of fact, we didn't have enough to adequately replace the roof. I am stuck with half a Raggedy Ann patch work roof job. Finally I am in a position to close the gap and stop thieving interlopers from driving their cars around my house.
I wanted to move it back to the back side of the house so that all the utilities were accessible without going through the fence.
The stick, marks my septic tank, just in case any one else tries to run over my septic tank.
Not only did I finally get the gap closed up, the parentals surprised me with a brand new gate!
A chain and lock makes it all complete.
They are small steps and may not mean much to some, but for me, they are important steps.
And each step brings me closer
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
A Year Ago Today
SNOWMAGEDDON 2014!!
I learned a lot of about myself during Snowmageddon 2014.
Primarily that I don't need a man to drive me around in the snow. From all reports, I did better than my previous "snow-ffer" who ran the truck into a ditch.
Well, I have always been the better driver.
EnJOY this sunny, warm day
I learned a lot of about myself during Snowmageddon 2014.
Primarily that I don't need a man to drive me around in the snow. From all reports, I did better than my previous "snow-ffer" who ran the truck into a ditch.
Well, I have always been the better driver.
EnJOY this sunny, warm day
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Oops I Did It Again....
Sorry y'all. Hate to keep letting down my readers (of which I have surprisingly many now!) Things have been super busy here at work.
What did I do this week?
Thursday, Thanksgiving was quiet. I did temporarily lose my mind and go to Cracker Barrel for take out around noon. OMG was it crowded! The line snaked all through the store part of the building. I had never seen it so crowded. I could have gone with my mother to my aunt's but I just wasn't up to it. It wasn't so bad. They called the server out, who was obviously overwhelmed by the crowd, and kept coming back to check my order. Otherwise I could have been in and out in ten minutes. It took 30, but it was well worth the wait. I had been invited to go to the annual Midnite Madness Black Friday Shopping Excursion with my crazy cousins, but the temps dipped well into the freezing zone. No Thank You. I also understand, from many recent articles, that the savings are not really that big.
Friday, I woke with a start at 7:00 a.m. because I thought, in those misty morning moments, that I had overslept for work. When I finally got calmed down, I went to Cyn's and we hung out. Still not going near a store.
Saturday, I went to Wallyworld to pick up one of my prescriptions. LOL. They had not had time to clean up from the Black Friday craziness. I happened upon a promotional movie rack and scored the first five seasons of The Big Bang Theory on DVD for far less than they were selling them in the electronics department. I also picked up several movies for just two bucks. I spent the rest of the day watching them.
Sunday, I got up just in time to make church. And I am glad that I did. The message is always timely. This time it was on "A Life of JOY." I am always a sucker for a good reference with my name. (Admitedly, I am a huge Almond Joy fan...sometimes you feel like a nut....LOL) The important elements that stuck with me were that JOY is internal, JOY occurs by choice, and JOY is based in Christ and that one cultivates a Life of JOY through Praise, Prayer and Practice. Yep. Got that on lock. I pray everyday for family, friends, and enemies alike.
Monday, it was, as we like to say in the coffee business, back to the grind. We were extremely busy and there was hardly time to breathe.
Yesterday, I was supposed to go to the Sara Evans concert, but something last minute came up and I had to change my plans. I wasn't really feeling "country" anyway. I sold my tickets (for much less than I paid) to my God-daughter and her friend instead. Late last night she called to tell me what an awesome time that she had (and what an awesome Godmother I was) and that she had gotten to go to the meet-and-greet afterwards. So she got to meet Sara Evans. She was thrilled beyond belief and was still talking in a pitch so high, I am sure dogs all around my neighborhood could hear.
And that brings me to today, where I have laid it all out for you, my readers.
Hope everyone has a great day.
~EnJOY!
What did I do this week?
Thursday, Thanksgiving was quiet. I did temporarily lose my mind and go to Cracker Barrel for take out around noon. OMG was it crowded! The line snaked all through the store part of the building. I had never seen it so crowded. I could have gone with my mother to my aunt's but I just wasn't up to it. It wasn't so bad. They called the server out, who was obviously overwhelmed by the crowd, and kept coming back to check my order. Otherwise I could have been in and out in ten minutes. It took 30, but it was well worth the wait. I had been invited to go to the annual Midnite Madness Black Friday Shopping Excursion with my crazy cousins, but the temps dipped well into the freezing zone. No Thank You. I also understand, from many recent articles, that the savings are not really that big.
Friday, I woke with a start at 7:00 a.m. because I thought, in those misty morning moments, that I had overslept for work. When I finally got calmed down, I went to Cyn's and we hung out. Still not going near a store.
Saturday, I went to Wallyworld to pick up one of my prescriptions. LOL. They had not had time to clean up from the Black Friday craziness. I happened upon a promotional movie rack and scored the first five seasons of The Big Bang Theory on DVD for far less than they were selling them in the electronics department. I also picked up several movies for just two bucks. I spent the rest of the day watching them.
Sunday, I got up just in time to make church. And I am glad that I did. The message is always timely. This time it was on "A Life of JOY." I am always a sucker for a good reference with my name. (Admitedly, I am a huge Almond Joy fan...sometimes you feel like a nut....LOL) The important elements that stuck with me were that JOY is internal, JOY occurs by choice, and JOY is based in Christ and that one cultivates a Life of JOY through Praise, Prayer and Practice. Yep. Got that on lock. I pray everyday for family, friends, and enemies alike.
Monday, it was, as we like to say in the coffee business, back to the grind. We were extremely busy and there was hardly time to breathe.
Yesterday, I was supposed to go to the Sara Evans concert, but something last minute came up and I had to change my plans. I wasn't really feeling "country" anyway. I sold my tickets (for much less than I paid) to my God-daughter and her friend instead. Late last night she called to tell me what an awesome time that she had (and what an awesome Godmother I was) and that she had gotten to go to the meet-and-greet afterwards. So she got to meet Sara Evans. She was thrilled beyond belief and was still talking in a pitch so high, I am sure dogs all around my neighborhood could hear.
And that brings me to today, where I have laid it all out for you, my readers.
Hope everyone has a great day.
~EnJOY!
Thursday, November 20, 2014
It's An Esteem Thing
Right now I an loving this song.
(ya gotta love the guy in the pink shirt!)
This little ditty is the brain-child of 20 year old rising star (or future one hit wonder...who knows) Meghan Trainor. It's catchy beat, doo-wop undertone and Meghan's baby doll voice has made this song a hit. Throw in the "love your body" message and this one keeps everyone humming.
How much healthier would my self-esteem be today if ths song was around when I was growing up?
Even when I was thin, there was someone pointing out things I shouldn't love about myself. When I became a big girl, I just wanted to hide and become one of those people that you read about when they are cutting the wall out of their house to remove their dead bodies with a forklift. Now Miss Meghan is far from what I would call "fat." As a matter of fact, the only person in the whole video who would possibly benefit from that description might just be the fella in the pink shirt, and he is getting his groove on like nobody's business.
It took me nearly my whole life to decide to be happy with myself and it took just that action.
Deciding to be happy.
Now don't think that I am going to let myself go or anything. I am having to watch what I eat for my ticker, and to keep my diabetes in check because Lord help me, I will NOT be put on dialasys when I am old. I am just more forgiving of myself. The added dilligence has rewarded me with a much smaller pants size and a surprisingly younger-looking, healthier appearance. Many have commented about how much better I look now than I did ten years ago. And trust me, I am getting no complaints.
Of course, there is a "bass" worthy girl trapped inside, screaming for cake, cookies and bread. She and I dance on a daily basis. She wants to fudge and eat bbq and white cheddar cheese dip every day. I take her Whole Foods and shut her up with steamed kale and grilled portabello mushrooms.
The struggle is real.
All About That Bass (single) - Meghan Trainor - Epic 2014
(ya gotta love the guy in the pink shirt!)
This little ditty is the brain-child of 20 year old rising star (or future one hit wonder...who knows) Meghan Trainor. It's catchy beat, doo-wop undertone and Meghan's baby doll voice has made this song a hit. Throw in the "love your body" message and this one keeps everyone humming.
How much healthier would my self-esteem be today if ths song was around when I was growing up?
Even when I was thin, there was someone pointing out things I shouldn't love about myself. When I became a big girl, I just wanted to hide and become one of those people that you read about when they are cutting the wall out of their house to remove their dead bodies with a forklift. Now Miss Meghan is far from what I would call "fat." As a matter of fact, the only person in the whole video who would possibly benefit from that description might just be the fella in the pink shirt, and he is getting his groove on like nobody's business.
It took me nearly my whole life to decide to be happy with myself and it took just that action.
Deciding to be happy.
Now don't think that I am going to let myself go or anything. I am having to watch what I eat for my ticker, and to keep my diabetes in check because Lord help me, I will NOT be put on dialasys when I am old. I am just more forgiving of myself. The added dilligence has rewarded me with a much smaller pants size and a surprisingly younger-looking, healthier appearance. Many have commented about how much better I look now than I did ten years ago. And trust me, I am getting no complaints.
Of course, there is a "bass" worthy girl trapped inside, screaming for cake, cookies and bread. She and I dance on a daily basis. She wants to fudge and eat bbq and white cheddar cheese dip every day. I take her Whole Foods and shut her up with steamed kale and grilled portabello mushrooms.
The struggle is real.
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
I know that I am good for at least 17 years....
...and then they move on to the next meal ticket.
I had occasion to run into a former relative of mine (read: a relative of D/H) a few days ago, who told me that the whole family thought I would make D/H "respectable and responsible", but he again, had disappointed everyone. All had agreed he had married up. This person went onto say that I "was (D/H's) only redeeming quality", and now he is "with trash of his own kind" and how that spoke to his classlessness, not mine.
It's sad when ones own flesh and blood view you as a low life.
A friend tagged me in this article today. They prefaced it with "Sounds like someone you used to know" Even my friends recognized it.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Out With The Old
I sucked it up, and went out furniture shopping.
I needed to (finally) replace the 30 year old sofa, disentigrating before my eyes in my living room.
W teases me often about the state of my sofa. to the point it was almost an inside joke. I haven't even dared to have LG come over from Jackson. LG has really, really, nice furnature. "I like what I like," he says whenever I comment on something, but I know that he can afford it, so furniture shopping must be easy for him.
I feel so grown up all of a sudden. With the exception of a few small pieces, I inherited most of my furniture. And I am happy with that. Furniture shopping is....well....boring.
One would think that I would love furniture shopping, because of my love over other shopping, but I really don't. In fact, I loathe it. I am like the kids that you see, dragging along behind their parents in the furniture store with the "just-pick-something-already" looks on their faces. I think it's primarily because furniture is so flipping expensive and I have really expensive taste.
I am happy to report that I finally did pick out a couch and love seat for my living room that I feel that I can live with, and paid for it outright. That must not happen much. The sales guy had to go to some hidden office in the back to find a sales slip, rather than pull yet another page off the stack of credit aps on his desk. "Wow" he kept saying, wiping his forhead. I guess no one pays cash anymore.
To save the delivery charge, and avoid having to take a vacation day, I had my brother and dad go pick them up for me. They met me after work at the store. What a funny little caravan we were. My dad in his duely, my brother in his F150 and me.
There were some minor assembly required, as neither piece came with the bun feet installed. They were in a little bag, tied to the cushion, along with many very long screws.
I was very pleased with how beautifully they had matched stuff I already have (maybe some of that magic Cyn has is finally rubbing off on me!!) , including the new area rug that I purchased 2 or 3 weeks ago. It is a blue-tinged gray (they describe it on the tag as "slate") and they came with four, blue and gray striped throw pillows. I was going to ditch those, but they blend with my living room so well, I just might keep them. I will post pictures here later.
I am not sure if it was because it had spent most of it's life bound up in plastic, but it eminated a very odd, chemical-like scent. It made my eyes water. Like new-carpet-smell. I guess it's New Couch/Loveseat smell. I had already taken my maximum allowable allergy medicine for the day so i was kinda stuck. I hope it passes because I would hate to be allergic to my first, big purchase.
When JB finally came out of hiding, he walked big, cautious, circles around them.
His eyes were wide and unblinking as he skulked around in a low crawl. He would crane to sniff them and then look at me with an expression that said "What exactly is going on here?" Even my best coaxing (and eventually picking him up to place him on the carefully placed towel beside me) could not convince him to come near.
Some time during the night, he apparently got over his fear, because this morning I found a large, fur-covered area on the right-hand seat back that corresponded with his "spot" on the previous sofa. The towel I had placed there to prevent such a spot, was laying in the floor in a crumpled heap.
I was surprised at how much they fill the living room but also how much space there still seems to be. As my mother would say, "It looks like a grown up lives here."
Yes, it is the year of changes to better things.
And I do deserve better.
~EnJOY
I needed to (finally) replace the 30 year old sofa, disentigrating before my eyes in my living room.
W teases me often about the state of my sofa. to the point it was almost an inside joke. I haven't even dared to have LG come over from Jackson. LG has really, really, nice furnature. "I like what I like," he says whenever I comment on something, but I know that he can afford it, so furniture shopping must be easy for him.
I feel so grown up all of a sudden. With the exception of a few small pieces, I inherited most of my furniture. And I am happy with that. Furniture shopping is....well....boring.
One would think that I would love furniture shopping, because of my love over other shopping, but I really don't. In fact, I loathe it. I am like the kids that you see, dragging along behind their parents in the furniture store with the "just-pick-something-already" looks on their faces. I think it's primarily because furniture is so flipping expensive and I have really expensive taste.
I am happy to report that I finally did pick out a couch and love seat for my living room that I feel that I can live with, and paid for it outright. That must not happen much. The sales guy had to go to some hidden office in the back to find a sales slip, rather than pull yet another page off the stack of credit aps on his desk. "Wow" he kept saying, wiping his forhead. I guess no one pays cash anymore.
To save the delivery charge, and avoid having to take a vacation day, I had my brother and dad go pick them up for me. They met me after work at the store. What a funny little caravan we were. My dad in his duely, my brother in his F150 and me.
There were some minor assembly required, as neither piece came with the bun feet installed. They were in a little bag, tied to the cushion, along with many very long screws.
I was very pleased with how beautifully they had matched stuff I already have (maybe some of that magic Cyn has is finally rubbing off on me!!) , including the new area rug that I purchased 2 or 3 weeks ago. It is a blue-tinged gray (they describe it on the tag as "slate") and they came with four, blue and gray striped throw pillows. I was going to ditch those, but they blend with my living room so well, I just might keep them. I will post pictures here later.
I am not sure if it was because it had spent most of it's life bound up in plastic, but it eminated a very odd, chemical-like scent. It made my eyes water. Like new-carpet-smell. I guess it's New Couch/Loveseat smell. I had already taken my maximum allowable allergy medicine for the day so i was kinda stuck. I hope it passes because I would hate to be allergic to my first, big purchase.
When JB finally came out of hiding, he walked big, cautious, circles around them.
His eyes were wide and unblinking as he skulked around in a low crawl. He would crane to sniff them and then look at me with an expression that said "What exactly is going on here?" Even my best coaxing (and eventually picking him up to place him on the carefully placed towel beside me) could not convince him to come near.
Some time during the night, he apparently got over his fear, because this morning I found a large, fur-covered area on the right-hand seat back that corresponded with his "spot" on the previous sofa. The towel I had placed there to prevent such a spot, was laying in the floor in a crumpled heap.
I was surprised at how much they fill the living room but also how much space there still seems to be. As my mother would say, "It looks like a grown up lives here."
Yes, it is the year of changes to better things.
And I do deserve better.
~EnJOY
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Super Busy
Sorry for the lack of posts this week, I have been super busy!
Some things going on in my world:
The Boss is back at work for half days this week. Yea!!!
The body found up the street from the office, was a gentleman who apparently lost control of his bike, fell off and hit his head and died of head trauma. The police suspect no foul play.
A Coke bottle, bearing my son's name in the cooler at Wallyworld, caught my attention. I really miss him. Speaking with his sisters, they miss him too. He is not responding to anyone's text. That is very uncharacteristic for him. We know there are dark influences there. I am praying diligently that he can break free from it. I pray that he does not inherit the dishonesty, mistrust, faithlessness, and negativity he has been surrounded by since he has moved. Precious Father, please surround my boy with a hedge of protection that no evil will penetrate. Amen.
Things with W are moving right along. But proving that I wasn't going to to tie myself down, accpeting a dinner invitation from a friend, lit a fire under him. After radio silence for the past few weeks, he has started calling again with renewed vigor. He admitted that he missed me. It's nice, because I really kinda missed talking to him too. I would catch myself thinking "Oh, I've gotta tell W about this..." or "I bet W would get a kick out of that..." He says that he did the same thing.
If anything, that "date" proved to me that while I chose to be alone, I am not actually lonely. I really like my life right now, and don't really need anyone to make me "complete." I am weeding out the drama-mongers. Ain't nobody got time for that! I let those into my life who I enjoy being around. And I am not so desperate that I would glom onto the first person that came along. I happen to be looking for a decent, honest, faithful, quality companion.
Cotton is currently in the hospital with an infection. Major IV antibiotics on board. Kit-Kat is severly stressed from the whole situation, and was nearly unconsolable. Julz and I did get her to eat something last night and I hope she got some rest last night.
Speaking of the girls, both are enrolled in college. I am excited for them, and very proud that they are so independent. Both are working steadily, and managing to keep rent and bills up to date. I am glad that they learned from the mistakes they witnessed growing up. Currently trying to figure out the car situation. I signed her car, currently dead in my drive way, over to her so that she can sell it for parts. Praying dilligently for that.
My toes seemed to be almost healed, I am going without taping them and wearing my Ace sock. I still have a bruise on the sole of my foot and it huts if I step just right, but I am back in regular shoes. I still can't curl any of my toes, despite my best efforts. I guess writing with my toes has become a thing of the past. Oh Well.
I am really looking forward to football season and now I may actually get to watch some games! I refuse to acknowledge the "jinx" that someone convinced me that I was under, that would affect my Tigers when I watched. I am thinking positive thoughts!
Lastly, since I have chosen to be happy.....I AM!!! I am focusing on the positive and the Lord is allowing positive things to start happening. How refreshing! Isn't there real power in positive thinking?! When I no longer chose to focus on the negative, positive things started happeneing. When I started thinking about how lucky I was, my "luck" improved! When I focused on the good things, more good things came my way!!
In closing, I remind you to be observant of the good things happening around you, be happy for your friends and family, pay kind deeds forward, share a smile with a stranger, encourage someone today, focus on what you have rather than what you lack, give thanks to the Lord for the blessings He has bestowed on you and witness the added blessings He will pour over your life.
It works...I promise you!
~EnJOY!!
Some things going on in my world:
The Boss is back at work for half days this week. Yea!!!
The body found up the street from the office, was a gentleman who apparently lost control of his bike, fell off and hit his head and died of head trauma. The police suspect no foul play.
A Coke bottle, bearing my son's name in the cooler at Wallyworld, caught my attention. I really miss him. Speaking with his sisters, they miss him too. He is not responding to anyone's text. That is very uncharacteristic for him. We know there are dark influences there. I am praying diligently that he can break free from it. I pray that he does not inherit the dishonesty, mistrust, faithlessness, and negativity he has been surrounded by since he has moved. Precious Father, please surround my boy with a hedge of protection that no evil will penetrate. Amen.
Things with W are moving right along. But proving that I wasn't going to to tie myself down, accpeting a dinner invitation from a friend, lit a fire under him. After radio silence for the past few weeks, he has started calling again with renewed vigor. He admitted that he missed me. It's nice, because I really kinda missed talking to him too. I would catch myself thinking "Oh, I've gotta tell W about this..." or "I bet W would get a kick out of that..." He says that he did the same thing.
If anything, that "date" proved to me that while I chose to be alone, I am not actually lonely. I really like my life right now, and don't really need anyone to make me "complete." I am weeding out the drama-mongers. Ain't nobody got time for that! I let those into my life who I enjoy being around. And I am not so desperate that I would glom onto the first person that came along. I happen to be looking for a decent, honest, faithful, quality companion.
Cotton is currently in the hospital with an infection. Major IV antibiotics on board. Kit-Kat is severly stressed from the whole situation, and was nearly unconsolable. Julz and I did get her to eat something last night and I hope she got some rest last night.
Speaking of the girls, both are enrolled in college. I am excited for them, and very proud that they are so independent. Both are working steadily, and managing to keep rent and bills up to date. I am glad that they learned from the mistakes they witnessed growing up. Currently trying to figure out the car situation. I signed her car, currently dead in my drive way, over to her so that she can sell it for parts. Praying dilligently for that.
My toes seemed to be almost healed, I am going without taping them and wearing my Ace sock. I still have a bruise on the sole of my foot and it huts if I step just right, but I am back in regular shoes. I still can't curl any of my toes, despite my best efforts. I guess writing with my toes has become a thing of the past. Oh Well.
I am really looking forward to football season and now I may actually get to watch some games! I refuse to acknowledge the "jinx" that someone convinced me that I was under, that would affect my Tigers when I watched. I am thinking positive thoughts!
Lastly, since I have chosen to be happy.....I AM!!! I am focusing on the positive and the Lord is allowing positive things to start happening. How refreshing! Isn't there real power in positive thinking?! When I no longer chose to focus on the negative, positive things started happeneing. When I started thinking about how lucky I was, my "luck" improved! When I focused on the good things, more good things came my way!!
In closing, I remind you to be observant of the good things happening around you, be happy for your friends and family, pay kind deeds forward, share a smile with a stranger, encourage someone today, focus on what you have rather than what you lack, give thanks to the Lord for the blessings He has bestowed on you and witness the added blessings He will pour over your life.
It works...I promise you!
~EnJOY!!
Saturday, May 31, 2014
What The Person You Deserve Is Like
Someone posted this on my wall today.
What The Person You Deserve Is Like
The man I thought I deserved left me.
I cried as I read it because it brought up the pain and betrayal all over again.
But then I realized, he didn't deserve me.
What The Person You Deserve Is Like
The man I thought I deserved left me.
I cried as I read it because it brought up the pain and betrayal all over again.
But then I realized, he didn't deserve me.
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Gluten Free Made Easier!
I am acustomed to paying narly $6 for a small loaf of GF bread (really makes me not want a sandwich). Mixes for GF items are equally as pricey, twice, sometimes even three times the price. I am telling you, it is easier sometimes to just do without.
I was plesantly surprised to find that on my last visit to Aldi (my favorite grocery store...focus on the food, not the brand) had a large line of gluten free products! They were also very economical, with is rare for gluten free products.
I know they thought I was crazy when I snapped this pic, but I had to sent it to mother. The highest priced item I purchased was just $2.99!It was very hard to not buy one of EVERYTHING they had (but I came pretty darn close)!
You will see, over there on the far right, the brown rice spaghetti noodles that last night's dinner post was made from. At only $1.49 a package I will be picking up quite a few more of these! The fusilli pasta (corkscrew pasta) was just $1.29.
The chocolate chewy bars were pretty good, but at $2.49 for only 4, I will have to decide if that one is worth it.
I purchased two boxes of mix: a pancake mix and the mix for lemon squares. $ 2.99 each.
I was not expecting the Snickerdoodles to be actual cookies. I thought they were a mix. at $2.49 for just 12 that was a little pricey, but the soft-baked cookies were pretty good.
The frozen pancakes were a little dissapointing. There are 12 in the box for just $2.69, but when I got them open they are "silver dollar" size. Not bad. They are actually pretty filling.
The crackers were the best! $1.49 for the bag. I got Sea Salt and the Rosemary and Olive Oil. Yummy!!
I was disappointed to read that these were "limited time" offerings but hopefully as those folling a GF diet buy them up, they will consider offering them full time.
In the mean time, I've gotta stock up!!
~En-Joy!
Friday, May 23, 2014
Graduation
It is the end of an era: Kit-Kat graduated.
The day was not without the usual amount of drama. It just seemed to be a little more than usual, but I don't know why.
I will try to list these in order:
I had a dream that I was choking to death and woke to find out that I actually was. Because I didn't have to work, I slept late, apparently sleeping through my allergy meds. I dreamed I was back in majorette camp, with all the girls I had been a majorette with and our trainer. One thing that may seem odd to some, but made perfect sense to us, was running. She would make us run laps around the outside of our bandroom/gym building. It was for endurance and in the end, helped more than I ever imagined. I always hated it though and would develop a nasty stitch in my side about the 3rd lap. Thing was, if you didn't complete the lap, she would add another for everyone. I start hacking and coughing right away and I stop. Everyone running by me is asking if I am okay, I can't tell them that I am choking, They are trying to help me run. I finally manage to tell them I am choking and then I wake up to find that I was! I had coughed to the point that I couldn't stop and my nose was so stopped up no air was getting through. I thought I might pass out before I got to the sink for some water. Scary.
"W" was sent with his crew to the furthest corner of the state to work on a new site. Sent early...like earlier than he should have been up. I can only imagine how groggy he was with so little sleep, despite our best efforts to both be in bed early. He called me from the road, a very pleasant surprise. I never get to speak to him first thing in the morning. He said he thought he'd surprise me, but I know keeping him awake had something to do with it. After his frustrated little rant earlier this week, he was ready to put his hands around the neck of one of two less than stellar employees, quite possibly the yahoo that dropped a wrench off the top of a 300 foot tower just a few days earlier. I reminded him that I got paid this week if he needed bail money.
After I spoke to W, I called my Mother, who is still recovering from her ablation. We talked for an hour. Ten days out of a surgical procedure on her heart and she is doing great! She gets tired easy right now, but is getting stronger and stronger. We talked about all the funny things she said after her procedure...bless her heart.
After our hour long conversation, I debated on going to get coffee, but am really glad that I did. I ran into an old majorette pal at Waffle House! We talked for an hour there at the counter, over coffee and an All Star breakfast. I brought her up to speed on what had been happening in my life and she brought me up to speed on hers. As I reconnect with more and more people from my past, I am beginning to wonder if this is the "life flashing before my eyes" that everyone speaks about when they are about to die and I am getting mine this way.
Then I went to Wallyworld. I had a few things like soap and shampoo to pick up. As I got in the car twenty minutes later, my phone went off and it was Kit-Kat who had been at my house for the past thirty minutes! She was threatening to break in since I had not answered any of her calls. She was coming to retrieve her graduation gift from Mother. When I arrived, she, her boyfriend Cotton, and two friends, were sitting my driveway. She was grateful for the generous gift Mother had sent. Because her cap hung off her head at baccalaureate like it was stapled to the back of her head, I gave her advice on a simple way to alter it so the mortarboard laid flat. A pet peeve of my own Senior sponsor when I was in high school. I was her teacher's assistant then and she ranted for the whole month before graduation about how girls never wear their cap properly with the point between their eyebrows and the mortarboard flat on top, not the back, of their heads. I showed her a quick fix for that. She wanted to know what I was wearing. I told her that I needed her help identifying W's niece, because I had not seen her since they were park league cheerleaders in 6th grade. She asked why I needed to know who she was. Oops. I had not planned on telling anyone about W just yet. Things are still new and undefined. I tried to explain without going into any detail. She squealed, grabbing me and hugging me tight: "I'm so happy for you! You deserve someone who will treat you nice for a change"
Before long, it was time to start getting ready for graduation. I was a little apprehensive, given the date, and how I would be in the presence of D/H (which no longer stands for "Darling Hubby" by the way, but in the interest of continuity, I will continue to call him that for the purposes of this story). Just as I was putting on my new (size SIX) LBD. my phone went off. It was The Boss calling to verify that she had the only spreadsheet with the pre-orders of the Nationally Known Coffee Shop customer that I manage. I get this spread sheet every six weeks from the Production Manager that contains the customers forecast for the upcoming six weeks. I key all the "production stocking" orders so that they pop up in production report to be filled. Then every week the buyer from the Nationally Known Coffee Shop sends me the actual order, which I adjust accordingly and submit to the warehouse for pick up. Each forecast is submitted with a job number which I use to match the pre-orders to the actual PO's. The problem with this is that the job numbers didn't match a single pre-order. I couldn't answer any of her questions without seeing it and everyone else involved had gone home. I could not explain the discrepancy and the Production Manager offered to call some people at home to straighten it out.
Time was ticking, so as I dashed out of the house and jumped in the car, I had only 30 minutes to make it down the valley to the church.
Still plenty of time, I kept telling myself. Everything was going relatively smoothly
until
my gas light came on
Great.
I could see myself on the side of the road, missing Kit-Kat's graduation because I had forgotten a very important errand....to buy gas.
Julz called to find out where I was. The church was filling and they were holding my seat. I quickly explained my dilemma. When I panic, my Drama Queen gene rears it's ugly head. (Try not to cry, try not to cry...) "Calm Down Mother" was her reply. "If you run out of gas, I will come get you, it's going to be okay." I prayed for what seemed like ten miles (but was actually only 2 or 3) that the Lord drop a gas station on this curvy country road. A block from the church, a gas station appeared and I happily pulled in. As I pumped my few dollars worth of gas, young man tried to sell me some very expensive meat from a freezer in the back of his truck. "No thanks," I replied, "I'm a vegan" (Forgive me Lord for lying to that young man that I really had no time to deal with)
I pulled up at the church, parked my car, and dashed inside. I walked into the sanctuary, along with the graduates. We were seated in the balcony, on two rows. My former in laws, Julz and "Ricky Martin" and me on one row, The First Wife, her husband and boys, Cotton, Tigger and D/H behind us. From our vantage point, Kit-Kat seemed very far away. By now, several classmates had bedazzled their caps, some with their initials, some with little designs. One with an intricate gold design that covered the entire surface of the cap. But it made them easily identifiable.
All the graduates carried a little plastic ball, that they handed the principal as they shook her hand. Last year, at Tigger's graduation, the teachers were scrambling to find something to put them in. This year, they came prepared with a basket, but it wasn't quite big enough. By the time Kit-Kat handed her ball off, there were several rolling around the stage, hers included.
We left our seats during the singing of the alma mater, my former father-in-law anxious to beat the rush. I took only a moment to hug Tigger, remind him that I loved him, that he would always be my son, no matter what happened, and that I would always be there for him. I teared up, turned, and walked away.
I called W as I walked back to my car. He was still on the job site and not very happy. His crew had gone to "motivate" the crew from another company. The other crew sounded completely bumfuzzled as to what needed to be done and had pretty much left all the difficult work for W's gang. It was nearly 8:00 pm and he was having to spend the night. Not a happy camper, but my call came at just the right time and he could focus on me instead.
He asked if the graduation went well, to which I replied that it did. "Are you okay?" he asked. He knew what the other significance to the day had been. It was weird, but I realized not only had I not thought about it, I didn't really care. D/H had looked uncomfortable, and unhappy, and for the first time in a really long time, I didn't really care what he was thinking. For the first time since all this had happened, I felt sorry for him instead of me. "Yeah" I responded " I'm good."
W promised to call me back when he got settled into the hotel. That gave me time to get home as well. I sent him the picture of Julz and me after graduation that was taken with my phone. He shot back "His loss, my gain."
And with that, I graduated.
The day was not without the usual amount of drama. It just seemed to be a little more than usual, but I don't know why.
I will try to list these in order:
I had a dream that I was choking to death and woke to find out that I actually was. Because I didn't have to work, I slept late, apparently sleeping through my allergy meds. I dreamed I was back in majorette camp, with all the girls I had been a majorette with and our trainer. One thing that may seem odd to some, but made perfect sense to us, was running. She would make us run laps around the outside of our bandroom/gym building. It was for endurance and in the end, helped more than I ever imagined. I always hated it though and would develop a nasty stitch in my side about the 3rd lap. Thing was, if you didn't complete the lap, she would add another for everyone. I start hacking and coughing right away and I stop. Everyone running by me is asking if I am okay, I can't tell them that I am choking, They are trying to help me run. I finally manage to tell them I am choking and then I wake up to find that I was! I had coughed to the point that I couldn't stop and my nose was so stopped up no air was getting through. I thought I might pass out before I got to the sink for some water. Scary.
"W" was sent with his crew to the furthest corner of the state to work on a new site. Sent early...like earlier than he should have been up. I can only imagine how groggy he was with so little sleep, despite our best efforts to both be in bed early. He called me from the road, a very pleasant surprise. I never get to speak to him first thing in the morning. He said he thought he'd surprise me, but I know keeping him awake had something to do with it. After his frustrated little rant earlier this week, he was ready to put his hands around the neck of one of two less than stellar employees, quite possibly the yahoo that dropped a wrench off the top of a 300 foot tower just a few days earlier. I reminded him that I got paid this week if he needed bail money.
After I spoke to W, I called my Mother, who is still recovering from her ablation. We talked for an hour. Ten days out of a surgical procedure on her heart and she is doing great! She gets tired easy right now, but is getting stronger and stronger. We talked about all the funny things she said after her procedure...bless her heart.
After our hour long conversation, I debated on going to get coffee, but am really glad that I did. I ran into an old majorette pal at Waffle House! We talked for an hour there at the counter, over coffee and an All Star breakfast. I brought her up to speed on what had been happening in my life and she brought me up to speed on hers. As I reconnect with more and more people from my past, I am beginning to wonder if this is the "life flashing before my eyes" that everyone speaks about when they are about to die and I am getting mine this way.
Then I went to Wallyworld. I had a few things like soap and shampoo to pick up. As I got in the car twenty minutes later, my phone went off and it was Kit-Kat who had been at my house for the past thirty minutes! She was threatening to break in since I had not answered any of her calls. She was coming to retrieve her graduation gift from Mother. When I arrived, she, her boyfriend Cotton, and two friends, were sitting my driveway. She was grateful for the generous gift Mother had sent. Because her cap hung off her head at baccalaureate like it was stapled to the back of her head, I gave her advice on a simple way to alter it so the mortarboard laid flat. A pet peeve of my own Senior sponsor when I was in high school. I was her teacher's assistant then and she ranted for the whole month before graduation about how girls never wear their cap properly with the point between their eyebrows and the mortarboard flat on top, not the back, of their heads. I showed her a quick fix for that. She wanted to know what I was wearing. I told her that I needed her help identifying W's niece, because I had not seen her since they were park league cheerleaders in 6th grade. She asked why I needed to know who she was. Oops. I had not planned on telling anyone about W just yet. Things are still new and undefined. I tried to explain without going into any detail. She squealed, grabbing me and hugging me tight: "I'm so happy for you! You deserve someone who will treat you nice for a change"
Before long, it was time to start getting ready for graduation. I was a little apprehensive, given the date, and how I would be in the presence of D/H (which no longer stands for "Darling Hubby" by the way, but in the interest of continuity, I will continue to call him that for the purposes of this story). Just as I was putting on my new (size SIX) LBD. my phone went off. It was The Boss calling to verify that she had the only spreadsheet with the pre-orders of the Nationally Known Coffee Shop customer that I manage. I get this spread sheet every six weeks from the Production Manager that contains the customers forecast for the upcoming six weeks. I key all the "production stocking" orders so that they pop up in production report to be filled. Then every week the buyer from the Nationally Known Coffee Shop sends me the actual order, which I adjust accordingly and submit to the warehouse for pick up. Each forecast is submitted with a job number which I use to match the pre-orders to the actual PO's. The problem with this is that the job numbers didn't match a single pre-order. I couldn't answer any of her questions without seeing it and everyone else involved had gone home. I could not explain the discrepancy and the Production Manager offered to call some people at home to straighten it out.
Time was ticking, so as I dashed out of the house and jumped in the car, I had only 30 minutes to make it down the valley to the church.
Still plenty of time, I kept telling myself. Everything was going relatively smoothly
until
my gas light came on
Great.
I could see myself on the side of the road, missing Kit-Kat's graduation because I had forgotten a very important errand....to buy gas.
Julz called to find out where I was. The church was filling and they were holding my seat. I quickly explained my dilemma. When I panic, my Drama Queen gene rears it's ugly head. (Try not to cry, try not to cry...) "Calm Down Mother" was her reply. "If you run out of gas, I will come get you, it's going to be okay." I prayed for what seemed like ten miles (but was actually only 2 or 3) that the Lord drop a gas station on this curvy country road. A block from the church, a gas station appeared and I happily pulled in. As I pumped my few dollars worth of gas, young man tried to sell me some very expensive meat from a freezer in the back of his truck. "No thanks," I replied, "I'm a vegan" (Forgive me Lord for lying to that young man that I really had no time to deal with)
I pulled up at the church, parked my car, and dashed inside. I walked into the sanctuary, along with the graduates. We were seated in the balcony, on two rows. My former in laws, Julz and "Ricky Martin" and me on one row, The First Wife, her husband and boys, Cotton, Tigger and D/H behind us. From our vantage point, Kit-Kat seemed very far away. By now, several classmates had bedazzled their caps, some with their initials, some with little designs. One with an intricate gold design that covered the entire surface of the cap. But it made them easily identifiable.
All the graduates carried a little plastic ball, that they handed the principal as they shook her hand. Last year, at Tigger's graduation, the teachers were scrambling to find something to put them in. This year, they came prepared with a basket, but it wasn't quite big enough. By the time Kit-Kat handed her ball off, there were several rolling around the stage, hers included.
We left our seats during the singing of the alma mater, my former father-in-law anxious to beat the rush. I took only a moment to hug Tigger, remind him that I loved him, that he would always be my son, no matter what happened, and that I would always be there for him. I teared up, turned, and walked away.
I called W as I walked back to my car. He was still on the job site and not very happy. His crew had gone to "motivate" the crew from another company. The other crew sounded completely bumfuzzled as to what needed to be done and had pretty much left all the difficult work for W's gang. It was nearly 8:00 pm and he was having to spend the night. Not a happy camper, but my call came at just the right time and he could focus on me instead.
He asked if the graduation went well, to which I replied that it did. "Are you okay?" he asked. He knew what the other significance to the day had been. It was weird, but I realized not only had I not thought about it, I didn't really care. D/H had looked uncomfortable, and unhappy, and for the first time in a really long time, I didn't really care what he was thinking. For the first time since all this had happened, I felt sorry for him instead of me. "Yeah" I responded " I'm good."
W promised to call me back when he got settled into the hotel. That gave me time to get home as well. I sent him the picture of Julz and me after graduation that was taken with my phone. He shot back "His loss, my gain."
And with that, I graduated.
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