Still More Gratitude

At a meeting yesterday, we talked about the importance of being thankful, especially when things are not so good. Especially when our attitudes have gone sour. Gratitude takes my eyes off me, and onto God and all He has given me.

1. The sweet memories of being with my grandkids recently.
2. The smell of freshly mown grass coming from my neighbors yard.
3. The enjoyment of my new home.
4. The hope of the future God has given me.
5. The color of my flowers this summer.
6. A car that runs.
7. A new job opportunity.
8. The expectation of getting a dog for my companion.
9. A roof over my head, running water, electricity and food in my pantry.
10. My faithful friends.

Wonderful Days with my Grandkids.

A beautiful flower garden, the most beautiful of all flowers, my granddaughters, Brynn and Ashlynn.

On an outing to an old fort, my lovely flowers pose. They love the camera and look best when together.

My son Troy, and my granddaughters, waiting patiently to meet their new son/brother.

My beautiful flower, Brynn, getting acquainted with new brother Sean.

My little cherub Ashlynn, holding her new brother for the first time.

Saying hello to my newest grandson, Sean, only a few hours old. He looked right into my eyes.

Me and my newest little bundle saying goodbye.

Mad Max the Surfer Dude

Surfs Up!

Don't you love his little wet suit?

Searching for the Perfect Dog

The search is still on for finding the perfect dog that I need. I have gone to the pound and perused the Internet. I am extremely limited in funds so that is a big hindrance. I have also been looking at service dogs. I am not considered disabled, but have do have impairment in regards to my mental health. Quite by accident, I found out on the Internet, that there are psychiatric service dogs, and emotional assistance dogs. Unfortunately, to get one, you have to be disabled. Although I have suffered a lot in my life with mental health issues, I am still able to perform adequately the daily living skills we all need, and to keep working, although barely sometimes. I have missed a LOT of work this year and had to leave work to go home for this very reason. I had to drop out of school too. I just could not function well enough to stay in the game.

To make a long story short, I am praying, as are a few of my friends, that God will bring just the right dog to me. I have always been a dog lover and have wanted one desperately for years. I could not have a dog at my last residence, but am able to now in my new one. I have difficulty with my moods and anxiety at night, and need a sensitive companion to be with me during those times. A man is out of the question, ha ha. I find myself fantasizing a good part of my day of what life will be with when my new companion . It is a good goal, something to look forward too, and gives me a purpose. If you know of any perfect dogs, let me know.

The Rat Race of my LIfe

I have been looking forward to my two days off this week so I can unpack some boxes and put stuff away in my new home. There is so much clutter inside and outside my home. Unfortunately, my first day off will begin by picking up a family member and my two granddaughters who are visiting from out of town. Little Sean will be coming along too. They will plant themselves in my 400 sq. ft. home for two and a half hours. I love them all dearly and do look forward to their visit. But, I will get nothing done. At 12:15 I will drop them off at home and commence a long 35 to 40 mile to the nearest metropolis to go to a doctor appointment. On my way home, I will stop by at the YMCA and workout, then on to my favorite AA meeting from 5:30 - 6:30, then finally make it home, and I will be too pooped to much of anything.

The following morning, I have a dental cleaning appointment at 11 a.m. As soon as it is over I will head out to town to have a nice visit with an old friend who just moved back to the area. She just had a new grand baby too, so we will have lots to talk about. After that I will go back to the Y and workout again. I am trying to make it a priority. I am paying for it every month so it will behoove me to use my membership. Then back to town for another 5:30 AA meeting another priority. If I have any energy left over, I may unpack a few boxes.

Somewhere in those two days, I would like to stop at the humane society and look at the dogs. I really want a dog badly. Although I like living alone, my dark moods come often enough that it would be really nice to have a companion that will love me without argument, be forgiving when I am imperfect, and act excited to see me every time I come in the door.

Whew! I am already tired after writing all that. Wish I had some funds for a nice vacation. A visit to Max would be just the ticket. But alas, I am poor. Airline rates are up because of summer. Drat!

That's a Wrap

Here's one I'd like feedback on. Let's say you are a customer of the local deli where you like to order fresh sliced head cheese (yumm) and a half pound of Havarti cheese to go with it. All of a sudden, a girl in a white coat with meat blood all over it, comes to the deli with a six tiered rack full of fresh raw meat and chicken in their plastic bottoms. She proceeds to go to the wrapping table where all your deli meats and cheeses are wrapped, and she begins to wrap the plastic bottomed raw meats. When she is done, she gives the wrap table a swipe with a cloth that's was soaking in sanitizer solution. Not really a problem you may say at first. She did not put the raw meat directly on the wrap table. They had plastic bottoms. She sanitized the wrap station after she was done.
Now, let's say this lovely young lady accidentally spills a little meat blood on the wrapping table where your favorite deli clerk (whom we all know and love) has just wrapped the head cheese she just sliced for you, and now you are ready to order your Havarti. The Havarti is sliced and you say thanks, the deli clerk (whom we all know and love) wants to wrap it and put it away, but their is raw hamburger blood on the wrapping table. She takes the cloth soaking in sanitizer and wipes it but good. Would you still want some fresh sliced Havarti if you were the next customer and saw this little procedure? I am really curious. I have a definite opinion. But I will keep it to myself for now. What do you think?

Whoever invented phone companies made a huge mistake

Since I just moved. I called the local phone company to have my old service disconnected, and new service activated. The first agent I get is named Judy. I tell Judy that I want to disconnect my old service at such and such address and phone number, and order broadband only at my new place. "Well," she says, 'I see here you are calling from 851-****." "Uh. no Judy, that is your phone number." "Oh, no wonder it sounds familiar." To make a long story short, Judy never gets it that I don't want to buy a special package they are 0ffering as a discount for just such a customer as me. Finally she says she has it straight, and has me signed up for just $72. per month. I told her to cancel it because I did not want to pay that much for what I want and felt it was unreasonable. Judy let's out a long, frustrated sigh and says "Okay, I guess I can transfer you to Lois.
Lois seems to get it right off and orders broadband only for my new place and cancels my old service. She quotes me a reasonable price. As we are saying goodbye. Lois says, "Thank you for calling Judy." (Eye rolling from me) "No, Judy was the previous customer service agent." "Oh, so she is. Aren't I silly." I won't tell you what I thought she really was but...
The old service was not turned off on the day scheduled and the new service was not activated. I called this morning and talked to Lisa. I told Lisa my problem and she says that she has it on her computer that I should already be up and running. I assure it is not. Okay, I am activating right now and it will be on in 15 minutes. Your old phone also will disconnect at that time. Two hours later nothing.
So, I get my new cell phone and spend one hour of my precious minutes while Becky claims to have gotten it right. Apparently, Lois is not too bright as she ordered new service for the old place, and cancellation for the new place. As Becky is setting this all up for me, she talks rather lovingly, excitedly, and scoldingly to her computer. AAAGGGHHH. I haven't been home yet, but I am not anticipating any progress.