.. to the 'she doesn't mind...' story that I don't mind telling, since it is not me that did the thoughtless thing. I was checking with the admin. assistant at church early this morning to be sure about an item on the Sam's Club list, having called last night and left a message for her. When she called me back, she was walking out the door of the house, and: naturally as soon as she shut/locked the door, she realized her house/car keys were on the wrong side. Murphy's Law and gravity, still in effect.
So I said: I am headed out the door of my house to go to get the shopping done, so I will come by and run you to work. I'll be there in under ten minutes. Which I did. And as we were going to the church, I told her the story about the daughter who outsmarted herself with putting the keys in the mini-fridge along with her left-overs.
The response from the friend in need of transportation was: they do have a spare key hidden in the yard. But it is in the back yard, where you cannot access. Due to husband deciding they need to keep the gate to the six foot tall wooden privacy fence locked from the inside. So... I asked 'what good is that hidden key?' She just laughed. And said 'fortunately, the keys I need for work I have learned to leave at work, so I won't leave them at home.' (Locked in the house, I might add!)
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
whoops...
....I thought I was getting up this morning to drive to south GA. And got a call from doctor's office yesterday about an appointment at 10:45 today So rats. And best laid plans....I had it on my calendar, squished in with all the other obligations and events that occupy my time. It was simply overlooked, smooshed in between other things that are more interesting, attractive or necessary.
Plus the dr. appt. is in Alabama. I found a female dr. in Montgomery through info. from an acquaintance at church, so after getting established (meaning making the trip about once every three months for the first year), I now drive over once a year. To be poked at, questioned, make a blood donation to check for proper levels of chemicals, get a new Rx and go on my merry way.
I thought, vaguely considered the possibility of going from Montgomery to south GA. But quickly discarded that proposal as ridiculous. It looks to me like about five hours of driving, which my damaged back, bad kneed and normally pleasant disposition could not tolerate.
Plus I have yet to put the frosting on the carrot cake, due to the fact that I discovered: no confectioner's sugar when I took it out of the oven, placed on racks to cool. Decided that was not worth making the drive to get a bag of sugar, so bought it when I went to work on Monday. And will get that done this morning. As well as make a run to the north side of town with a small grocery order for the church. If I don't get there this morning, it would probably be Friday, and if I put it off too long, it will either get much longer, or might not get done at all, so best to get it over with today...
Plus the dr. appt. is in Alabama. I found a female dr. in Montgomery through info. from an acquaintance at church, so after getting established (meaning making the trip about once every three months for the first year), I now drive over once a year. To be poked at, questioned, make a blood donation to check for proper levels of chemicals, get a new Rx and go on my merry way.
I thought, vaguely considered the possibility of going from Montgomery to south GA. But quickly discarded that proposal as ridiculous. It looks to me like about five hours of driving, which my damaged back, bad kneed and normally pleasant disposition could not tolerate.
Plus I have yet to put the frosting on the carrot cake, due to the fact that I discovered: no confectioner's sugar when I took it out of the oven, placed on racks to cool. Decided that was not worth making the drive to get a bag of sugar, so bought it when I went to work on Monday. And will get that done this morning. As well as make a run to the north side of town with a small grocery order for the church. If I don't get there this morning, it would probably be Friday, and if I put it off too long, it will either get much longer, or might not get done at all, so best to get it over with today...
good news, bad news...
with the 'new' Toyota that I bought last fall. I had been using a semi-synthetic oil, and paying more for an oil change than with the previous vehicle, a sturdy little Saturn (back in the era of my being determined to only buy American made vehicles - which I have obviously recovered from.) Just doing what the manufacturer recommends without any truly expert knowledge. But if 'they said' I should be using a more expensive oil, that I what I must do.
And now, with the newer model (2013) ''they say' I should be using a fully synthetic product. So I am/do. Which, as you can imagine, is even more expensive than the stuff that is half-synthetic and half-who-knows-what. But that's what I have.
After poking around on the internet, by googling 'synthetic oil changes' and finding what I thought to be the best price, I went down yesterday morning before work to get it done. And find that, lucky me, I have an unusual filter, that has to be 'special ordered' (which in this case apparently means the oil change guy has to walk across the parking lot to the Auto Zone store next door and buy the one that goes under the hood of the Toyo.) So they have to charge me extra for the full synthetic oil (whatever that means???) and extra for the oddly shaped oil filter. So much for bargain shopping.
Then to top all this aggravation off: I looked at the email this morning, and today, just now, I find a coupon from Goodyear for $25 off any service over $50. That of course, expires long before I will need another oil change.
Oh - and the good news part of this is: the first time I had this done, in the new'ish toyo, they told me I could go twice as long before I would need to have it done again. The usual definition of having oil drained and replaced and a new filter installed is 5000 miles, but according to the service rep. with the higher priced oil, it can go twice the distance before you need the service again. So, if you take a big step back, tilt your head and squint, with one eye closed, I have saved, right?
And now, with the newer model (2013) ''they say' I should be using a fully synthetic product. So I am/do. Which, as you can imagine, is even more expensive than the stuff that is half-synthetic and half-who-knows-what. But that's what I have.
After poking around on the internet, by googling 'synthetic oil changes' and finding what I thought to be the best price, I went down yesterday morning before work to get it done. And find that, lucky me, I have an unusual filter, that has to be 'special ordered' (which in this case apparently means the oil change guy has to walk across the parking lot to the Auto Zone store next door and buy the one that goes under the hood of the Toyo.) So they have to charge me extra for the full synthetic oil (whatever that means???) and extra for the oddly shaped oil filter. So much for bargain shopping.
Then to top all this aggravation off: I looked at the email this morning, and today, just now, I find a coupon from Goodyear for $25 off any service over $50. That of course, expires long before I will need another oil change.
Oh - and the good news part of this is: the first time I had this done, in the new'ish toyo, they told me I could go twice as long before I would need to have it done again. The usual definition of having oil drained and replaced and a new filter installed is 5000 miles, but according to the service rep. with the higher priced oil, it can go twice the distance before you need the service again. So, if you take a big step back, tilt your head and squint, with one eye closed, I have saved, right?
Sunday, March 1, 2015
the auntie...
... is having a birthday on Wednesday. She has taken to telling people that she has the only birthday that is a 'command': March forth. This will be a birthday that ends in zero, which is a pretty big deal.
I stopped at MyPublix after church to get carrots and a block of cream cheese. I have already grated the carrots, and will get the cake mixed up and baked this afternoon. She is in for a big surprise. I doubt anyone has baked her a birthday cake since she was a teenager, before she left home to go away for an education.
Also taking the makings for a big salad that will be lunch on Wednesday. It is sort of amusing to me, and will be interesting to hear her response. She is not much fond of salads and has commented numerous times over the years that she does not care for beans, much rather have animal protein. There will be No Animals Harmed In The Making Of This Salad. So it will be really amusing to hear how she will react to meat-less... she could be very big-hearted and kind, act appropriately appreciative. Or wonder repeatedly "where's the beef?"
I stopped at MyPublix after church to get carrots and a block of cream cheese. I have already grated the carrots, and will get the cake mixed up and baked this afternoon. She is in for a big surprise. I doubt anyone has baked her a birthday cake since she was a teenager, before she left home to go away for an education.
Also taking the makings for a big salad that will be lunch on Wednesday. It is sort of amusing to me, and will be interesting to hear her response. She is not much fond of salads and has commented numerous times over the years that she does not care for beans, much rather have animal protein. There will be No Animals Harmed In The Making Of This Salad. So it will be really amusing to hear how she will react to meat-less... she could be very big-hearted and kind, act appropriately appreciative. Or wonder repeatedly "where's the beef?"
bummed....
... though I don't want to take all the responsibility, and know it is not entirely my fault: it still hurts like the dickens. I want to think it's getting better, but have moments when I want to go to bed and pull the covers over my head. Doubtful that would make it feel better, but it's sometimes nice just to retreat from the world, go hide in the closet.
I had a completely unnecessary accident one day last week. And fell on my bum. Landed on my tailbone, which did not need to be injured. I said a bad word, several times, but don't think it was very helpful. The worst part is that I had to go to work, so it got even more worser before I could get home and apply ice. I have been sleeping with a bag of ice every night since. Applied to my lower back, while I have a heating pad under my feet. If that won't confuse your personal thermostat, nothing will.
It is for times like this that we save old, outdated Rx. I have been taking a highest powered OTC pain killer during the day, but decided to scout around for something really strong to take at bedtime. And found a couple of long expired bottles of serious pain-killers that have been very helpful with getting a good night's sleep. Even if they should have been recycled several years ago, and have someone elses' name on the label. Thankful I kept them instead of turning in to be destroyed, when we had one of those 'Save the Chattahoochee River' recycling days.
There's nothing anyone could do: I could go to the Doc-in-a-Box and pay for x-rays and office visit, get a new Rx written with my name on it. And a likely diagnosis of fracture of the tailbone (I cannot spell that word that starts with c and ends with letters at the tail end of the alphabet, and spell check is broken). But that's about all I would get. Nothing to resolve the problem. I think/hope/want to believe it is getting better.
I had a completely unnecessary accident one day last week. And fell on my bum. Landed on my tailbone, which did not need to be injured. I said a bad word, several times, but don't think it was very helpful. The worst part is that I had to go to work, so it got even more worser before I could get home and apply ice. I have been sleeping with a bag of ice every night since. Applied to my lower back, while I have a heating pad under my feet. If that won't confuse your personal thermostat, nothing will.
It is for times like this that we save old, outdated Rx. I have been taking a highest powered OTC pain killer during the day, but decided to scout around for something really strong to take at bedtime. And found a couple of long expired bottles of serious pain-killers that have been very helpful with getting a good night's sleep. Even if they should have been recycled several years ago, and have someone elses' name on the label. Thankful I kept them instead of turning in to be destroyed, when we had one of those 'Save the Chattahoochee River' recycling days.
There's nothing anyone could do: I could go to the Doc-in-a-Box and pay for x-rays and office visit, get a new Rx written with my name on it. And a likely diagnosis of fracture of the tailbone (I cannot spell that word that starts with c and ends with letters at the tail end of the alphabet, and spell check is broken). But that's about all I would get. Nothing to resolve the problem. I think/hope/want to believe it is getting better.
and today's sermon...
... was about God in the unseen. Who is always doing things in our best interest. Though it is generally on a timetable we cannot perceive. We've been working our way through the Old Testament book of Esther. An interesting story, but one I will not re-tell, so you have to read it for yourself. It could easily be a script for a modern day Hollywood tale: the villain will eventually get his comeuppance, and we can all cheer when the white hats win out in the end.
Today was about how Romans 8:28 comes into our lives in ways we often do not have the vision to see. How God was working in the lives of the Hebrew people for many years behind the scenes, unseen and possibly unacknowledged. Moving the pieces into place for His will, according to His plan. Even though the people often thought themselves downtrodden, persecuted and looked at their circumstances as a great tragedy.
Hearing all this, in very simple terms, and being asked the question of how can you apply this to your life? Where does this show up for you? God working behind the scenes? With things appearing to go terribly awry at the time? But ultimately finding that as you get distance from some heart-wrenching, watershed event, you see that there is goodness. And grace to be had from the experience of learning that lesson.
So basically: if you think things happen due to remarkable coincidence or have any reason to believe that you life is one of serendipity, you need to be looking in a different direction. And I am not talking about staring out to sea, or gazing across the prairie towards the mountains in the distance. Or suddenly thinking of someone you rarely see, and feeling an urgent need to be in touch: it's more than 'a disturbance in the force'. Everything happens for a reason. If you need to be in touch - you know where I am....
Today was about how Romans 8:28 comes into our lives in ways we often do not have the vision to see. How God was working in the lives of the Hebrew people for many years behind the scenes, unseen and possibly unacknowledged. Moving the pieces into place for His will, according to His plan. Even though the people often thought themselves downtrodden, persecuted and looked at their circumstances as a great tragedy.
Hearing all this, in very simple terms, and being asked the question of how can you apply this to your life? Where does this show up for you? God working behind the scenes? With things appearing to go terribly awry at the time? But ultimately finding that as you get distance from some heart-wrenching, watershed event, you see that there is goodness. And grace to be had from the experience of learning that lesson.
So basically: if you think things happen due to remarkable coincidence or have any reason to believe that you life is one of serendipity, you need to be looking in a different direction. And I am not talking about staring out to sea, or gazing across the prairie towards the mountains in the distance. Or suddenly thinking of someone you rarely see, and feeling an urgent need to be in touch: it's more than 'a disturbance in the force'. Everything happens for a reason. If you need to be in touch - you know where I am....
in between...
...all the things I did yesterday: getting to work at 11 for a full day of cooking demo., and going to the gospel music concert last night, I also went to a funeral on Saturday. For a man who was kinda', sorta' a co-worker. He started working in the produce department at the store where I am employed several years ago. After apparently badgering the store manager for many months to hire him. Agreeing to start at the bottom, as a hourly-paid clerk.
I knew that everyone (including me) is hired as a part-time person to start, and could only hope to prove worthiness to be eventually invited to become a full time associate with assorted benefits after a 'trial period' of ninety days. I am not sure if this is still true, as I have seen several team members come and go and come around again. I think this guy may have been changed to full time sooner, due to his vast experience in the grocery business: at one time was an assistant director of a competing chain. He retired from that position, and did other things, but eventually relocated to be close to family, and settle in Columbus.
I heard about six months ago he had been diagnosed with cancer, of a variety that is not often survived. At the time he was the produce manager of a store on the north side of town. He fought it for as long as he could, but finally lost that battle. I'd been writing postcards, sending words of encouragement, and wanted to attend the Good-by Service. And found out a lot about him I did not know.
It is interesting to observe, that along with many church services, funerals have become more casual and much less formal. People will be invited to come and talk, tell remembrances of the deceased, share stories to comfort the bereaved. And family members get up to talk about that fondly remembered brother, father, sister or son.
The thing I remember about D.W. is that he, as an 'older' employee could, and did work circles around the younger men. Could put a young adult male to shame with his diligence, desire to do well, interest in performing at the highest standards. I don't know if it is just being more mature, with world/life experience, that makes some people I see so willing work. But the people I observe in the workplace who are most diligent are generally older folks, of the age that they know they do not have to 'prove' anything to anyone. Yet they seem to be the ones with the strongest work ethic, and the ones most willing to give a dollar's labor for a dollar's pay.
And he was always smiling. Always cheerful. I did not see him after the diagnosis, and understand from hearsay he was a very private person, so know he would not have shared personal hardship info. But the months I worked with him, he was always upbeat, always pleasant, every minute of every day. He left a legacy of a loving family, and I know he will be missed - and I think he had some traits they will always remember, and tell stories of their dad, husband and grandpa for years to come.
I knew that everyone (including me) is hired as a part-time person to start, and could only hope to prove worthiness to be eventually invited to become a full time associate with assorted benefits after a 'trial period' of ninety days. I am not sure if this is still true, as I have seen several team members come and go and come around again. I think this guy may have been changed to full time sooner, due to his vast experience in the grocery business: at one time was an assistant director of a competing chain. He retired from that position, and did other things, but eventually relocated to be close to family, and settle in Columbus.
I heard about six months ago he had been diagnosed with cancer, of a variety that is not often survived. At the time he was the produce manager of a store on the north side of town. He fought it for as long as he could, but finally lost that battle. I'd been writing postcards, sending words of encouragement, and wanted to attend the Good-by Service. And found out a lot about him I did not know.
It is interesting to observe, that along with many church services, funerals have become more casual and much less formal. People will be invited to come and talk, tell remembrances of the deceased, share stories to comfort the bereaved. And family members get up to talk about that fondly remembered brother, father, sister or son.
The thing I remember about D.W. is that he, as an 'older' employee could, and did work circles around the younger men. Could put a young adult male to shame with his diligence, desire to do well, interest in performing at the highest standards. I don't know if it is just being more mature, with world/life experience, that makes some people I see so willing work. But the people I observe in the workplace who are most diligent are generally older folks, of the age that they know they do not have to 'prove' anything to anyone. Yet they seem to be the ones with the strongest work ethic, and the ones most willing to give a dollar's labor for a dollar's pay.
And he was always smiling. Always cheerful. I did not see him after the diagnosis, and understand from hearsay he was a very private person, so know he would not have shared personal hardship info. But the months I worked with him, he was always upbeat, always pleasant, every minute of every day. He left a legacy of a loving family, and I know he will be missed - and I think he had some traits they will always remember, and tell stories of their dad, husband and grandpa for years to come.
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