you've got a friend

I am such a sucker for JT it ain't funny.  This particular song reminds me of the Dyersburg High School class of 1973.  We have expectations of a huge turnout from both class members and teachers.  And spouses and dates!  it's kind of strange to be still trusting the universe to provide me with a companion who understands me.  I guess you have to date for a long time to figure that one out.  It makes me so happy to see all of my parents get married late in life.

We have sent many across the bridge over these 50 years. The way I see it, if you have somebody on speed dial you are one lucky person.  I have about 20 and they always call me back.  Sometimes they answer from work or retirement.  I miss Spike in that way.  He always answered and cared enough to bring me breakfast after my first  shoulder surgery.  There are lots of us left and we are all in touch.  I'm in charge of a head count of teachers and it's been delightful to talk with them lately.  

Always trust your cape^j^

always trust your cape

I will be the first to admit that I am directionaly challenged.  I'm pretty used to my usual route which is to Madison and back.  Today was Grandparents Day Prom at Denmark and thanks to Kim I got there with no problems.  And then I took the wrong way home and drove for two hours through the middle of nowhere.  I finally found a service station and asked how to get to 412.  The first one was a young dude and he just gave me directions.  When I went back I met an elderly gentleman at the front desk and I asked him to help me with directions.  He said "You know what honey?  I'll let you follow me and I'll get you there." There was a beautiful hunting dog in a crate and some metal pipes and a sink in the bed,  And I sure stayed on his ass.  Once I got closer to the west side I know where I was.  LP and I talked about how calming it can be to get lost and just figure it out.  Read the signs, so to speak.  

Mostly all the kindergarten kids just ran around and played while us grandparents ate snack and did an occasional boogie move.  She thought it was go home time after that 45 minute romp like after graduation from pre-K.  Y'all I cried like a baby. Bless her sweet teacher's heart that had to deal with all that energy for three more hours!

Sometimes if you don't expect a miracle or blessing, it just doesn't show up.  But if you're not looking and ask for help directly you get where your spirit is meant to be.   It's just a leap of faith, right Lorna ^j^

it's not fair

Well actually, sometimes it is.  Today's sermon centered around the scripture where the vineyard manager went to town hiring workers for the day.  The first crew went in early morning promised a certain wage.  All during the day folks were hired and in the evening they were all paid the same.  The last ones hired were promised nothing.  Well, as the story goes, they all got paid the same and the least were first to get their coins.  Lesson learned!

Guilt is something that I decided early on is a useless emotion that is soul sucking.  At some point in time we have to forgive ourselves and move on.  Same for toxic relationships.  Resentment and anger will eat you up in a heartbeat.  I prefer not to feel that way.

We had a wonderful multi birthday tea part yesterday all decorated up for both Christmas and Halloween which was different but quite fitting for the occasion.  We all had seriously cute hats and ate jello and brownies served with Koolaid out of the Santa Claus teapot and cups.  Hey....you use what you got.  

I am slowly going through stuff here after three years and deciding what is really an heirloom and what is trash.  It's pretty therapeutic, if you know what I mean.

I pray that y'all have a good week and me too.  We shall see if we keep the faith ^j^

it ain't all about you

I tend to go on and on about things that happen in my life.  It's mostly praise and prayers mixed.  Today I had to ask forgiveness for telling someone a lie to keep 'em from flipping out.  I'll spare you the details but it involved herding cats.  This little trick involved tracking the behavior of 4 "in and out" cats over a period of time and thinning the herd down to one in and one in the barn.  I count that as a win win and I think Jesus would do that.

I got a very nice thank you note in the mail today and I realized how disappointed my mother would be in me for not doing the same when I receive a blessing.  My handwriting is terrible and I'm actually working harder than I ever have in my life.  But you know what?  I'm a hospice worker at times and that takes a toll on you.  

Healthcare workers are stretched to the max by corporate staff shortages.  If one is on FMLA you can't hire another one to replace that weekly bath.  Such is life.   I won another 50K today on the Pyramid so that means I'm pretty smart.  

Enjoy y'all.  Life is short ^j^

first time for everything

This road construction on HWY 51, though much needed, has been a pain in the ass.  The plastic cones and barrels are everywhere and some redneck chick called me an old lady when I drove down to the second turnoff to get on 210.  She actually screamed at me out the window of her vehicle.  I continued on my journey and a great time was had by all.  Me and Elizabeth Reaves buried a dead butterfly because "that's what people do right? Gaga?" Oh yes my dear. Yes we do.

I ran over a traffic cone last week and had to pull over to extract it from under the front of the car.  It was easy and I got where I was headed, Lord knows where.  I currently work with two clients and they are as different as night and day.  You never know what you are walking into on any given shift.  I have always been a forgiving kind of person but dayum.  Just don't be a mean girl.

Church today was all about forgiveness which was pretty timely for me.  I'm looking forward to the next chapter ^j^

driving the bus

Me and my nurse friend Carol were talking earlier about our mutual adventures with home health.  You never know what will happen at any given time with a client and so many of them have no living will ....or any will.  I carry mine, the living one, in my wallet and the decision makers know who they are.  It's recorded on my electronic record.  But who would know?  I certainly don't anymore.

We have plans for the joint birthday party of the two Elizabeth's .  Let's just say there will be hats and fine china involved.  And cake of course!  Her kid party is at an amusement  place so I said ummm..nope.  We can do our own thing.  I have enjoyed meeting the other members of her family and their friends.  Many of them I have known for a very long time.

Dementia is a terrible thing but also a chance to re-do one's outlook on life and the blessings.  One can hang onto anger and rage or just overlook it and understand that they are scared.  Of losing control or what's on the other side.  My earnest prayer is that someone will return the favor some day.  

Y'all hang in there ^j^

reconciliation

Today's sermon really smacked me in the head with how I have failed to restore broken relationships over the years.  Much of it was of my own doing, and until that other person let me know that I had been offensive I wouldn't have known.  I appreciate that in a friend or family member.  I have learned to become accountable and do self assessment after I get told I'm causing trouble  And I own it.  It may take awhile, but I always do.  Sometimes "I'm sorry " doesn't fix things right away but over time, and with God's help, those relationships are restored in a new form.  It breaks my heart to see families ripped apart like that.

My birthday celebration was magical, made so by my girls.  As I walked in they sang HB to me and then again when I blew out candles on a Reeces pumpkin.  Reaves helped.  She also painted my nails a very pretty blue while Lauren was out running errands.  She then proceeded to spray herself, me and JJ the cat with body spray.  Now JJ didn't really like all the spraying action so she quickly figured out to spray it on her hands and rub him down.  They are joined at the hip!

As for this week, there's more work which I'm thankful for.  And also for the physical ability to do it.  My soul has finally returned to a peaceful state and I intend to be focused on keeping it that way.  Get thee away from me control and worry!

Keep the faith ^j^

icing on the cake

I haven't had a birthday cake since my mother was able to arrange it, either by baking or ordering a DQ ice cream one which is my favorite.  As of of tomorrow, I will be 68 years young.  I am living life much more intentionally now knowing that the older I get the closer I am to the other side.  My bucket list is shorter now.  Nothing dramatic like jumping out of a plane or climbing Mt Everest.  I would seriously like to be a contestant on the celebrity 100K Pyramid just so I could meet some celebrities.  Also I would dearly love to go on a Mississippi River canoe trip with John Ruskey and the Quapaws of Clarksdale MS.  Other than that, I'm content to live my life and spend time with what family I have left.  

I am pretty low maintenance because of my faith in God and love of friends, family and fun.  Y'all keep the faith ^j^

wipe the slate clean

I am an idea person.  When it comes down to details, I begin to get tired and give up.  Probably my vocation should have been ???   If I had not had a child to raise I would have been a travel MT.  They make a shit ton of money.  Anywho....the child got raised and I retired from that line of work to begin another chapter(s).  I sat on my ass and decompressed for a couple of years before seeking work.  I began to write again and meant it.  I got paid to write which is pretty rewarding.  During that time I took a job at a local restaurant and burned my hand twice with hot soup, all the while wondering why they even hired me.  I think it was out of pity for an old friend.  I still have my three work shirts and wear them often!

The one I'm wearing today is from FUMC.  "Love your neighbor" I have two of them , one with print on front and another on the back.  When you get right down to brass tacks it is pretty simple.  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  No hatred or killing or bashing others without letting God into the situation.  I have learned this past week that we pray for God's will in every situation.  Even if it seems hopeless and effed up, there is a plan.

You can now call me for all your taxidermy needs because I sold a bobcat that was creeping me out.  Thank you Dennis Allen for agreeing to hand over the cat.  And congratulations to his new owner Sam Helm who will place in him his Kentucky Wildcat man cave.

Things are perking along here.  Pretty soon the corn and beans will be gone and winter will settle over these brown fields around me.  But for now, it is nice fall weather.  

I just got home from having a colonoscopy which went surprisingly well.  The prep is much easier now though I swore I would starve to death before it was over.  Now I'm not even hungry!  I have pictures of my stoma and there were no abnormalities found.  As a bonus I got to hang out with all of my old surgery peeps from the hospital.  The whole deal from pre-op to leaving the building only took 2 and a half hours and I had a nice propofol nap.

A reader sent me a message yesterday asking if I was okay because I haven't posted in a week.  The bottom line is I've been busy as a cat chasing his tail and I'm STILL behind.   Nothing unusual for me...that's how I roll.

Y'all be blessed and thankful for all God has provided, even trials.  Sometimes unanswered prayers have a reason and I have to keep learning that over and over again.  Keep the faith ^j^