Sentimental Fool

I wrote this on my school FB group today.  I am sentimental because my dad's death anniversary was Friday and today is my sister's birthday.

Hope you have a great Monday.

Morgan County will forever and always have a special place inside my heart, even though I have not lived there since ****.  We are the class of ****!  We will always be connected!  UNTIL THE DAY I DIE.  I told my little sister (whose birthday is today) that from now on, I will not pass up an opportunity to tell someone how they have positively impacted my life.  So, while I am sitting here crying at work...I wanted to post a shout out to my awesome classmates, fellow county neighbors and some darn fine valuable close friends I LOVE YOU.  You all continue to keep our classmates in your prayers.  N****, L*** and C*****...and several others who are going through difficult times and shall remain anonymous.  But know that there are many of us who hold you all tight in our hearts and prayers.  Don't miss that opportunity to reach out.  Have a wonderful MONDAY a beautiful summer day.  Perfect day to call someone, write a text, send a card.  Thanks for reading this.

Dear Cousin D

Remember last year when I was visiting your awesome venue and saw the picture of B riding with his father (and maybe grandfather too?).  Can't remember how many were riding in the photo, but it seemed to be 2 or 3 and it looked like it was in a parade.  It was hanging in the barber-style men's dressing room.  Anyway, I mentioned it to Bob and said I had a similar photo. 

Well, I have been going through some photos recently, looking for photos of my highschool friends (we have 3 school chums who are all suffering from advanced stage cancer - so horrible).  And I came across this photo of me riding my pony in a parade along with my dad and my grandfather.  I wanted to show it to B.

I sure do miss you and look forward to coming to visit.  It may be sooner rather than later, but I am really trying to stick this work thing out for at least a couple of months.  I am adjusting fine and enjoy staying with B and H a lot.  They are just so sweet and welcoming and tell me each day how much the enjoy it.  I try to cook for them or bring them baked goods every once in a while.  It really has been a treat, and not too bad for DH and I either (we have LOTS to talk about there - one day, I hope, on the phone or in person - just us). 

However, my job is not what I thought it was going to be, so I am not liking it very much this time around.  I am at the same place, but they have me doing something else, that I don't feel especially qualified for, or particularly good at.  Will I stick it out and learn to improve at this new aspect?  Hmmmmm, time will tell.  But I was really counting on what I could make in 3 to 4 months, so I am taking it week by week.

Hope you are having a nice summer so far.  Love you. 

Thoughtful Thursday

Thinking of my DGM today, today is the anniversary of my father's death.  I know it is hard on her and on my brother and my dad's widow.  So for all of them I pause and say a prayer for peace and happy memories.  As for myself, I just try not to think to much on it and also pray for happy memories. 

I am going to have to search for NYC airline tickets soon and get those locked down.  Then DH and I will literally concentrate on paying off our 2 credit cards and putting a couple of his paychecks aside for Oct and Nov (we don't get his pension until end of Oct and SS until end of Nov).  He is not worried, I am a little.  We should get a check for his unused sick time and a check returning our money in escrow from city house.  Maybe even some from retirement house.  It is really hot and we need rain in the Midwest.  I am usually ready for fall by the end of June.  While I am at it, I can add patience to my list of prayers!  LOL. 

I have not done it for a while, but my stop and smell the roses lately is just lounging in our meat locker cold hotel room and just accepting...don't focus on the unfortunate part of this experience and we have been enjoying fruit and salads/smoothies, cool meals.  I especially enjoy relaxing after my late but still hot walks I am now doing at 8pm.  I am loving the long days still, but noticed that last night it was pitch black at 9:15.  Tonight I am having a relative help me with my flights search (my internet is bad at hotel), so I will enjoy a visit with her after work. 

What are you doing to take care of yourself?  Hope you have a moment to relax today.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt 11:28-30

Do Not Worry

Matthew 6:25-34 New International Version (NIV). 
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
I forgot to mention that I sold a pricey pendant that I had made few years ago.  It was never my style and I would never wear it.  So, I made $526 on it, $420 after PM cut.  I am putting it toward my Roth for 2018.  I am happy to have it gone.  Sometimes just a small step toward something, builds momentum (saving for retirement).  My husband is through with his accumulation, but I am really not.  I am 13 years younger than my husband and although we could be able to live frugally on his retirement till I get my social security in 15 years, the reality is that things happen and I need to continue to plan and accumulate just in case.  If something happened to him prior to my getting SS, I would have to go back to work and I am fully capable and willing to do that.  I am giving time now for spending it with him, prepared to go back to work at an older age and likely a more difficult task (difficult to find anything at all at an older age/longer break in employment, difficult to find anything rewarding that will not be at least partially physical (standing, lifting, carrying) and difficult because I will be older and out of the routine.  But it is a chance I willingly take to spend time with DH now while we are still relatively young and in good basic health.
P.S.  My  dog is better, he has a kidney stone and we are giving him special food and started him on heart meds for his heart murmur.  So, if the expensive food does not help dissolve the calcification, he will be as strong as he can with his heart, for surgery.  I also caved too and begged my Dr for steroids.  All the stress of moving, selling the house, the dog being sick, worry over my grandmother and my cousin etc just had me doubled over in pain.  I took one dose and immediately felt better.  I am truly going to focus on going totally healthy eating, but while we are back and forth moving and living out of boxes/extended stay hotel, I just want this plan in place so that I can function.  I cannot afford to be flat on my back now.  This fall, I will vow to never eat fast food again, if I can just get through this time of transition.  I was so sick last night I just sat down and had a good cry and immediately felt the release...March is almost over and we are gonna make it out alive if it kills me!

Father Birthday

Today is my father's birthday.  I have no energy today to think of him much.  He passed in 2014.  Days like today, I feel nothing much.  Or maybe it is suppressed.  I feel sad for my DGM and my dad's son.  I know my niece and nephew got the short end of the grandfather stick.  I don't think they really think of it much at all.  This I believe because I doubt my sister thinks of it much.  She and i don't talk about it much.  At least my niece is enjoying a trip to Las Vegas today.  Good for her.  I wrote her a page of things I have done there.  I did not go there until my early 30's, then I managed about 10 trips there somehow.  So, I have been all around and seen a lot of things to enjoy.  Few ways to save, few ways to splurge.  I hope she is having fun.  The weather is beautiful here yesterday and today.  Sunny and 50's/60's.  I enjoyed a 4 mile walk yesterday.  Was good for me.  Happy Monday!

Grateful for people

10/29/17
Grateful for people

I am grateful for people in my life.  I had a great date night with my DH listen after a busy and productive Sat morning and drive sat afyernoon looking at leaves.  Sat morning was cool, but afternoon was pretty.  Stayed up way too late, had fun.  Saw my 97 yo DGM and her 93 yo SIL (my great aunt) and my fathers cousin.  It brought on some painful memories of my dad...but my dad is gone now.  I did what I could before he died.

After my busy sunday helping my DGM, i had a healthy early dinner and caught up with my aunts for little while.  I didnt get my walk in, rare for a Sun.  I will just walk extra this week.  Sold a purse and canned some apple pie filling.  First time ever made chunky applesauce with cinnamon.  Its good.  My house is clean.  In an hour, bed then another work week...

Trying not to wish my life away too fast!  But want winter over and its barely started!