Uninvited Week 4

While I have tried several online Bible studies in the past and have never been successful, I finally clicked with a FB group through Proverbs 31 that helped me through a study last spring, and I am studying with the same group again now.  Our focus is Uninvited by Lysa Terkeurst.  While some of the activities provided in the Weekly Lowdown are just not for me, I do enjoy reading the chapters, watching/listening to the videos provided in the daily emails, and connecting with the ladies in the FB group.

This study has been particularly interesting since there are so many instances where we often feel rejection. It isn't just from not being invited to an event that all of our friends are attending.  It isn't because lunch dates are made and we haven't been included.  It can be the feeling of rejection that comes from hurtful words, circumstances, desertion, or a myriad of other words, conversations, events that occur in our lives.

A few notes from the week:

"Hurt people hurt people.  Healing people heal people."

How true is this?  How many of those who lash out at others are really hurting inside and we just don't realize it?  In the 'old days,' it could have been called being 'in a bad mood' which often stemmed from being hurt by someone or something.  While I try to understand the statement above, I don't truly understand why a person who continually hurts me does it.  I'm not sure this statement applies to this situation, but I am willing to consider it.

"Don't let today's reaction become tomorrow's regret."

While tough to do sometimes, it is always good to 'step back' before one speaks or, once again returning to advice from the old days, count to 10 before saying anything.  This is very hard for me to do.  But I look at that statement and I see more than just immediate reaction.  I see thoughtful consideration about the next steps in a relationship and being careful that the correct decision is made for self-preservation, rather than a regret for what might have been.

"We can't change the way others act and react, but we can control how WE act and react."

My sister-in-law and I talked about this the other day.  Since I can't control what is said to me and how I am treated, I have to accept that.  I can't control any of it.  I can't change any of it.  Words will be said and actions will occur, and I can't do anything about them.  However, I can choose how I react.  I can choose how I let those words affect me. I can choose how the actions will impact my life -- or not.  In most cases lately I have maintained silence during visits, I offer no information, and I answer questions if asked with the minimum amount of substance, usually just a 'yes' or 'no.'    It has taken me a long time, but I am finally accepting that this is the way it will be, nothing will change for the better, and my self-worth is not based on anything that is said or anything that happens in those visits.

More to come at a later date.  This has been a week of study that has made me really look at the bigger picture as well as my inner feelings. 

Just scan the items and put them in the bag....

I selected one of the three available lines at Meijer.  It seemed to be the shortest, with only two customers in front of me.  As I stood, the wait grew longer and I noticed that the line next to me was moving more quickly.  In fact a couple behind me switched lines and were placing their items on the belt while I was still #3 in the original short line.  By that time I was caught again in that awkward spot where I wasn't quite to the belt but another shopper was behind me and another behind him. I couldn't get out.  So I stayed put.

After listening to the interchanges between the two ladies ahead of me with the cashier, I wasn't surprised with my experience.

Cashier:  Hi.  Did you find everything ok?

Me:  Yes I did.

Cashier: Well, that's good.  You would be surprised at how many people just don't find what they need and they don't ask anyone for help, so I always check.  Do you have any coupons?

Me:  No, I don't.

Cashier:  Really?  Well, you should try coupons sometime because they really do save you some money.

Me:  (thinking - you can start scanning my items any time)

Cashier:  Do you have M-Perks?  (picks up an item)

Me:  No, I don't.

Cashier: (stops and holds the item) You DON'T?  Well, you should.  I could sign you up right now.

Me:  No thank you, not today.

Cashier:  (scans an item and puts it into the bag, then picks up another item and holds it)  M-Perks really help you save money and you SHOULD sign up for them. Maybe next time?  I am supposed to ask all of the customers these questions, just so you know.

Me:  Ok.....I'll remember that.

Cashier: (scans a large item and stops and looks at it):  You know, this is just too big for a bag.  Can you just put it in the cart?  Or you can try to bag it yourself if you want to. (places item on the carousel and I place it in the cart)
(picks up another item - scans it and places it in a bag then picks up a bag of green grapes and scans them and places them in a different bag, then picks up a bag of red grapes)
What about these grapes?  Should I put them in the same bag with those grapes or do you want a different bag for each kind of grapes?

Me:  You can put all of the grapes in the same bag.

Cashier:  (stops and holds the second bag of grapes) Really?  You really want all of the grapes in the same bag?

Me:  Yes. Put them all in the same bag.

Cashier: (shrugs) Whatever you say.  (places grapes in the same bag as the first bag of grapes and places the bag on top of the carousel)

OH MY!  YOGURT!  STRAWBERRY!  I just LOVE strawberry yogurt.  Don't you?  Who could NOT like strawberry yogurt! It is my favorite.  (scans the strawberry yogurt 4 pack and puts it in the bag, then the peach 4 pack, then the raspberry 4 pack, then the big container of vanilla yogurt, then the big container of strawberry yogurt---all in the same bag and picks it up and puts it on the top of the carousel).   Yes, strawberry yogurt is the best. It really is. Wow!  That is really heavy!

Cashier: (picking up next item to scan) So what are your plans for the rest of the week?

Me:  I don't really have too many.

Cashier: (stops and holds the item)  You don't have any plans?  There are still a few days left for the weekend. You need to find something to do because you might get bored!   (scans the item, puts it in the bad, and shakes her head).  I never have any free time.  I am ALWAYS busy doing something.

Me:  (saying nothing but wondering why my plans for laundry, paying bills, checking on my ill mother-in-law, helping my husband move equipment around, going to Grandparents Day on Friday with Landon are ANY of her business plus I just wanted to GET OUT OF THERE)

Cashier:  (handing my my receipt)  Well, no coupons for you!  Hope you find something to do with the rest of your week!

After waiting being in the line for at least 30 minutes, I finally walk out of the store.  I gaze back at the couple behind me and the cashier is standing there, holding one of their items, and chatting away.  The glazed look is starting to cover their eyes.

The Red, White, and Blue

When I write for the public, when I post on social media, and when I teach (or taught - past tense), I tend to keep my religious and political views to myself.  I never deny my belief in God, but the separation of church and state usually prevents me from voicing my beliefs to my students in a classroom setting.  Even though I am a registered Republican, my dad always taught me to vote for the person rather than the party, and I always split the ticket when I vote, except in the primary where a party must be declared.  However, I do have firm views on a current situation that has sparked discussion recently.  Standing for the National Anthem before a sporting event.

Now some background - I was raised in a family of veterans.  My grandfather Henderson was a World War I veteran and his brother, my Great Uncle Ralph, was killed in action during that war.  My dad and my Uncle Bob were veterans of World War II, with Dad serving on the Destroyer Escort Eldridge and Uncle Bob in the Army.  Uncle Bud and Uncle Dean served during the Korean War.  We respected our country and the freedoms we enjoy as American citizens.  Standing when the National Anthem played was never questioned; it was expected as a sign of respect for those who fought for those freedoms, for our Constitution, and for the citizenship we have.  When the Stars and Stripes passed by in a parade or was presented at an event in a gymnasium, we stood quietly to show our respect for our country.

When Gary and I were married, he shared my love of country.  He had served in the National Guard before I met him.  He was stationed in South Carolina and Louisiana and was based at the armory in Monticello.  We tried to instill the love of country into our daughters, and we were proud of both of them for representing West Central at Hoosier Girls State.  Megan continued as a counselor at HGS for several years, and she continued to honor veterans, especially her Grandpa Norm, by sending him letters on Veterans Day which had been written by her Clinton Prairie students.  Both girls also received scholarships from the American Legion in Francesville so they could continue their education at ISU.

One of the 'give me chills' moments during my tenure as the scorekeeper for the West Central Lady Trojans varsity and junior varsity basketball teams was listening to the National Anthem between the two games.  The hush in the gym, the removal of hats, thedrumroll, and the focus on the flag  on the wall of the gym---I will never forget the chills I felt each and every time.  I can still hear Abbie, Morgan, Amber, and Alyssa's voices blending in harmony as they began "Oh..oh..say can you see...."

In August I would stay awake long past my normal bedtime during the Olympics, just so I could see the American flag raised and hear the anthem played as so many of our athletes stood on the podium with their gold medals, tears streaming down their faces, and pride in their hearts.  They had represented our great nation well.

Then came a football player who decided that he needed to protest issues which he felt needed addressed by not standing for the National Anthem and the presentation of the flag.    Notice that I said 'issues he felt needed addressed' because I am not really sure what those issues are.   The focus instead, according to the media, has been on his not standing.  More athletes are following his lead and either sitting or 'taking a knee' during the anthem to join him in his protest.  The entire Indiana Fever basketball team 'took a knee' prior to a recent game.

Now while I agree that it is their Constitutional right to do this, and everyone is guaranteed Freedom of Speech in the Bill of Rights, I fail to see the connection to a 'cause' by disrespecting our National Anthem and our flag.

Furthermore, I find the actions not only disrespectful to the flag and the anthem but also a slap in the face to the veterans and current servicemen who have fought to protect these freedoms.  I will never forget the drive around the statue in memory of Iwo Jima in Washington DC.  The bus driver drove slowly around the circle while our tour guide asked us to look out the window and watch the flag as it miraculously was raised by the soldiers, signifying American victory by the Marines on that island.



And now professional athletes, college athletes, and even high school and junior high athletes are protesting issues occurring in this country by not standing for the National Anthem and for the flag.

What is happening in our country?  Terrorism.  Voting for a President based on 'the lesser of two evils' rather than based on who can  restore our country to one unified nation.  Riots.  Random killings.  Heightened security everywhere a crowd gathers because of fear.  Overpaid athletes earning more money than most of the fans who watch their games, protested 'issues' by 'taking a knee' instead of standing for the National Anthem and showing respect for the country that has given them the freedom to protest.

Quite honestly, it breaks my heart to see this happening.

And it breaks my heart to think that everything my dad, my uncles, and my grandfather fought for, is evaporating before my eyes.  What legacy are we leaving for Landon, Tessa, Cooper, and Owen?

Just my thoughts.  Just my opinion.  I am my father's daughter. I will stand for the National Anthem, and I will stand for the flag.  And yes...I have stood in my living room when the National Anthem has been played, even if no one can see.

Observations from Room 421

Since  my mother-in-law was admitted to the hospital on Friday evening, we have spent most of the last three days and so far all of today at Clarian IU Methodist Arnett or whatever it is called.  Observations so far:

• The words Emergency Room create the idea that a patient will be seen by anyone in the medical profession quickly.  This does not happen.  The only time Agnes was seen quickly was when she arrived at White Memorial by ambulance.  Otherwise, there is a wait.  Then long periods of time between visits by the people who check for your information....then to get the "vitals"....then to find out what the problem is....then for a doctor to come in.....then for the tests to be done..,,,,then for a plan......the word "quick" does not apply.  
• Nurses are very patient people. Customer service must have been included in the curriculum during nursing school.  All of the nurses, technicians, lab people, therapists, and pt personnel have been kind, compassionate, and patient.
• Hospitalists are not to be trusted.  The one who has been checking on Agnes is not good,  for instance she came in this morning and asked her how she was and if she needed anything.  Agnes said she wanted to go home. The doctor said that she was making arrangements for that and soon she would be out of here. Then we interrupted and said she still had the bag and the doctor had ordered a new stent in her right kidney to replace the bag and it had to function and she couldn't go home u til after that.  The hospitality said oh.  I guess I need to check for his notes then.  Well yeah.  You need to do that.  I am sure the nurses wouldn't have let her leave, but shouldn't she have checked it BEFORE  she came in?
• Hospital cafeteria food is good and cheap.  The Banyon makes great chicken and cheese quesadillas.  For lunch today I selected a personal sausage pizza for $3.89.  I added some baked apples, a diet citrus green tea, and with Gary's quesadilla, side dish, and Diet Pepsi, our lunch was $14. Oh yes...two peanut butter cookies came upstairs with me.  
• Hospital room furniture is not comfortable.  
• Just a quick walk around te square, down to the window to check out the traffic on I-65, and downstairs to the restroom can add 250 steps quickly so I can meet my goal for the hour!
• There is a piano in the Chapel!  All. I played was chords since the only thing I can play from memory is The Battle Hymn of the Republic or White Christmas and neither seemed appropriate. 

Back to reading my book.  I'll keep you posted on more observations, but hopefully we can go home soon!

Adding to the "My Favorite Books" list

I know I wrote about this book before, but I just finished it and I have to add more comments.  Not often does a book grab me like this one did.  Even though I knew the ending, and yes they crew did win the Gold at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, the story gripped me in the last chapters and I felt as if I were listening to it on the radio with Joyce and the rest of the family.

This book told the story not only of the Olympic team, but it also told the story of people, namely Joe Rantz.  He was older than my dad, but I could envision his story alongside what I know of Dad's early life.  Dad was 15 at the time of the 1936 Olympics.  Some of life's hardships that Joe faced I felt I could have heard about from Dad, although my grandparents were more loving that what Joe's folks were. Life was hard for them, and I felt myself nodding in understanding as the author conveyed the concern for money, the foraging for food, and the sparse living conditions that Joe endured.

I was also reminded of Dad's edict that hard work was necessary.  Dad was the only one of the Henderson children to graduate from high school, and he was determined that Greta and I do more---graduate from college.  He instilled in us the need for hard work and that nothing would ever be 'given' to us.  I would never be on a crew and I don't have the best physical strength (never have, never will), but I worked hard for my degrees and to be the best teacher I could be. I tried to instill in my daughters and also in my students that working hard was the only way to be successful---to be good and knowledgeable about what you were doing.  Nothing would be given to you.  You have to work for it. 

The Washington crew worked hard, they were determined, and they were successful.  They put everything they had into their goal.  They were a team.  They formed a well-oiled, smooth working unit that could not be defeated.  When one link in the chain was a little weak, the rest of the links because stronger.  That is what they did.   Teams today, families today, even friendships today could learn much about the results when the components truly work together selflessly for the common goal.

Also I felt like I had connections that made the book more real.  Karen and Paul live on Whidbey Island outside of Seattle.   Former office neighbor and good friend Leo was born and raised in Seattle.  One of my favorite student teachers Sarah lives in Seattle where her husband is an engineer for Boehing.  And I traveled to Seattle for my first and only PTK International Conference.  If we ever visit there again, going to the University of Washington to see the crew house and the Husky Clipper will be on the 'to visit' list.

This is one book that I just couldn't put down in the final chapters.  I had to keep reading.  Even though I knew the ending, I found myself urging the crew on in the final yards of the race, the tension increasing as I hoped they would edge past the Italian and German boats before the finish line.

In addition the look at the history from Joe's perspective was enlightening.  Knowing how much can be hidden from the public about what really goes on in a country is, quite frankly, horrifying and chilling.  More people should remember the adage that those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.  I hope my generation and the generations coming behind us don't forget the world as it was for the men and women depicted in this book.

There it is....a book recommendation.  Non-fiction.  A little technical in spots but I learned more about crew, wood, history, and people.  The Boys in the Boat.  Read it.

The Boys in the Boat

Haircuts and Hairstylists

It's no surprise that I don't like to fuss with my hair too much but I like for it to look nice.  I never had an older sister or older girl cousins to help me experiment with hair styles.  My mom did not give me any type of advice on what to do with my hair, so I was on my own.

Finding a hairstylist one likes is sometimes a long process, especially if there are moves or job changes or even---death. (I really liked Donna - she had cancer and died, so sad).

For the past few years I have gone to NV Salon in Francesville and Lindsey has been in charge of my hair.  She knows what I like and she keeps my hair looking good.

Yes, I do visit her about once every 4-6 weeks, but I need to do that because my hair can look great one day, then have a growth spurt overnight and be unmanageable the next day.

This morning I visited Lindsey.  I told her how nice my hair had looked and how easily it was to style on the trip to Memphis, except for the flip out on the right side of the back along my neck and over my ear.  Then when we came home on Saturday,  it all fell apart and I couldn't do anything with it.   When she cut it today, she said my entire head seemed a little 'wonky' what ever that means, but I agreed.  It did.  When we came home, nothing was working right with my hair.  Sticking out everywhere, not fluffing like I wanted it to, and the bangs were just getting too long.  Plus there was that flip out along the right side of my neck and over the ear.

No more!  All gone!  Everything is trimmed, fluffed, evened out, and no longer wonky.

Thanks, Lindsey, for opening a shop in Francesville.  Thanks for listening to me and understanding what I want my hair to do and how I want it to look.  Thanks for being the best hairstylist!  It took me a while, but I am so happy I found you.  My hair is happy too!

Look in the mirror, Ladies!

I was telling Hilary today about a lady we saw when we were waiting for the shuttle to take us back to Sun Studio from the Rock and Soul Museum.

She was sitting on the brick wall, fanning due to the intense heat in Memphis, which was hovering around 95*.  I had been walking around, looking at the gift shop again, checking out the streets, taking pictures of the Gibson Guitar building across the street, watching for the shuttle since the time was approaching the half hour, which is the time they did the drop off and pick up.

I didn't pay too much attention to her until I sat down next to Gary on the brick wall.

Lady:  OH MY!  Is it ever HOT!

and she got up and started to move around, into the Rock and Soul Museum which was air-conditioned, then back out again.

It was during her loud exaggerated movements that I noticed her apparel, a white gauzy dress which looked like a swimsuit cover, white sandals, and then----through the gauzy fabric I could see her white high cut panties and her white bra.

Really? 

I tried not to stare as she returned to her seat on the brick wall next to me.  Once more I heard
Lady:  OH MY!  Is it every HOT!

She stood and moved to the sidewalk area and sat on one of the concrete balls that lined the sreet.  Since the museum is attached to the FedEx Forum where the Memphis Grizzles play, there are various types of balls lining the street in front of the complex:  basketball, soccer ball, golf ball, volleyball, baseball, even a bobber for a fishing pole. 

As she perched on one of the balls, she spread her knees apart, pushed her gauzy dress down between them and started to fan herself with the fabric. A person across the street would have had quite the view of her white high-cut briefs.

In the meantime her husband (or significant other) was roaming around, totally oblivious to her except to check with her for an answer to an occasional question.  When the bus arrived, she was first in line to climb awkwardly aboard and planted herself in the front seat, just behind the driver.  The man with her was one of the last to board and did sit with her.

My question to Gary was  - "Why would someone wear something like that out in public?  Did she know that her panties and bra were showing very visibly though the white gauzy fabric?  Why didn't her husband say something to her?"

Gary's response was that she probably didn't care.  Hilary said the same thing.

I would hope that if I am wearing something inappropriate or that visibly shows my undergarments or  just doesn't look right, that someone would tell me before I go out in public and embarrass myself.

So I continue to shake my head.  I guess it could have been worse.   The undergarments could have been colored, or flowered, or striped........

New season?

Megan: Aren't you excited about the new season?

Me: What new season?

Megan: Well, the new television season.

Me:  Is it starting?  I thought it started in like, mid-September.

Megan:  It IS September, Mom.  It starts tomorrow.

Me:  I guess it is.  It doesn't feel like September to me.  So it starts tomorrow?  Why did I not know that? I guess I can blame it on Dad.

Megan:  Why?  Because all he watches is NCIS reruns?

Me:  Exactly!

The reality is that the new season of television has not been on my radar for several years.  It used to be.  I loved it when the new seasons started - new characters, new story lines, updated hairstyles and wardrobes.  But I haven't really paid any attention lately.

Why?

Teaching at Ivy Tech means teaching night classes.  Over the ten years I have taught on every single night of the week except Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  Not all at the same time, but at least one night class, sometimes two, each semester.  That ruins any semblance of following a show on a given night because the nights always changed when the semesters did.  By the time I would return home after a night class, it would be close to 10 and I was not ready to sit and watch a show. I was tired.

Plus we don't have DVR or whatever it is, and when we could tape shows, I never watched them.

Another thing......too much grading to do.  So Gary always has the remote, and I was grading papers.  Being in charge of the remote means flipping through many channels in the course of an evening rather than sitting and watching one complete program.

Who can resist reruns of NCIS (Gary's favorite), back to back episodes of Family Feud,  an occasional good movie - all are sometimes better  than the network shows.

But all that has changed!  No more night classes!  No more grading!  No more planning lessons in the evening!

So here we go!  Big Bang Theory is on the tv.  Penny's parents and brother have arrived for the formal wedding between Penny and Leonard.

This might start a new trend for me!

The Power of Sleep

I am the first one to admit that I am very grumpy when I don't have enough sleep.  I know that, but I also know that I like to stay up late and read or watch tv or play BINGO on Facebook too.  (I used to say I would stay up late grading - isn't it nice that I don't need to say that anymore?)

When we were on the trip to Wooster and Memphis, I didn't sleep well. I don't know whether it was the bed, the pillow (and I did take MY pillow along with the under-pillow was different), or just the different smell of the room, the lighting, or what.  I just didn't sleep well at all.

When we came home on Saturday, I was ready.  Good night's sleep and I would be refreshed.  Wrong.  The Ohio State - Oklahoma football game was on, and since I am a born Buckeye when it comes to football, I was intrigued with it.  Plus I was trying to move photos from iPhone to laptop and into Shutterfly and it just wasn't working for me.  I guess from all of that, my mind was just on overdrive and I couldn't relax enough to sleep.  I tossed and turned for most of the night.  My Fitbit showed just 4 hours of sleep, and I think that was an exaggeration.

Last night it worked though!  I was fearful that it would be hard to fall asleep since I had slept from Monticello to Delphi on the way to Hilary's house and from Delphi to Monticello on the way home.  I wandered around Krogers in Monticello like a half awake zombie, but I woke up enough to put the groceries away and check email and watch a couple of re-runs of Family Feud before going to bed around 10.  

Once there though...gone.  I was worried about Gary a little because he developed a chest cold on Saturday morning, so he was coughing and sneezing quite a bit.  When we returned home yesterday evening, his stomach was not happy either - he thought from all of the cough drops he had been eating.

But once I hit the bed - I was gone.  And I woke up at 8:45 this morning!  Wow!  You know those times when you just don't want to get out of bed because it feels so good, like the covers have molded to your body just perfectly?  The temp of the room and the bed are just perfect and you don't want to disturb it?  That was it for me this morning.  And I was so happy that I actually slept all night!!!

I feel good.  dadadadadadada  Oh so good....dadadadada

Ready to work on the day ahead even though it is starting later than planned.

Fruit is cleaned.
Refrigerator is cleared of all things not edible anymore.
Pork chops are in the crockpot, ready for dinner tonight.

Ready to go outside and mow and clean up the yard!

Ahhh...the power of sleep.

Tech Savvy I am not

I wish I were more tech savvy than what I am, and it frustrates me a bunch.

For instance.....my phone.

I ran the update last night.  It looks different than it did, and I need to get used to the new things to hit.  That is not a problem.

The issue is with other things, like pictures.  I love to take pictures. I love to look at pictures and see how things and people have changed. I like to record the memories for future reference.

So tell me...how do I transfer photos from my iPhone to my laptop?  Connect the two.  I can do that.  Then find the pictures on the iPhone. I can do that.  Then copy them and paste them into a folder in my Pictures folder on the laptop.  I can do that.

I did that.  Last night.  I copied all of the picture files that came up,.  I did it.  Then when I looked at the pictures to be sure that I had them before I started to delete them from my phone (to free up some of that space that was being taken that I keep receiving warnings about), the most recent pictures were not there!  No pictures from Graceland.  No pictures from the Hollywood Cafe.  No pictures of the rivers.

What I discovered was that the Camera Roll and the Photo Stream were different and that I could copy only one of them. What?  How do I find the other set?

I was frustrated.  I quit.  I went to bed.  But I left my phone plugged in and did the latest software update.

Now when I look at it, the pictures are different, but the Photo Stream and the Camera Roll look nearly identical.  Are they?  Should I try to copy the pictures onto my laptop again?

Plus this Shutterfly app?  Why is it that i uploaded all of my pictures into Shutterfly and have them divided into separate folders, then all of a sudden when I tried to upload the most recent set (like I have been doing for a few months) I am told that there are 1000+ photos to upload and most of them are pictures that I have already put into the folders.  I just don't understand!

Oh my.  While I am super glad that the days are gone of buying rolls of film and taking them in to develop, I still miss those days when pictures were pictures.  Why does this have to be so confusing!

Home again, home again, jiggity, jog.....

At least that is what Grandma always said!

We left on Friday, Sept. 9, around 9 a.m. and we returned on Saturday, Sept. 17 around 8 p.m.

Mileage - 2052

That's a heck of a lot of miles we put on the Escape in a week.  For us, that is!

Was it a good trip?  Yes, it was.  Did we do everything we wanted to do?  Not exactly, but we did some things that were unplanned and some things we thought would be fun just didn't work out. And you know what?  It didn't really matter.  We just did what we wanted to do and what we didn't, we thought we could do another time.

For instance - we drove to the Mud Island area along the Mississippi River with full intentions of going to Mud Island, spending some time along the river bank.  Then we spotted the HUGE Bass Pro Shop and went there instead.  We just marveled at the size of the store, the fact that a hotel was located at the top, and that there were ponds and a sky high elevator (which cost $10 to ride so I didn't do it!).  I know we didn't see all of the store because it was so big and we were just tired of walking.  

We came out of Sun Studios and looked around the area, took a few pictures, and then a shuttle bus pulled up out front. The driver hopped out and told the people on the street he was taking anyone who wanted to go to the Rock and Soul Museum---so we got on the bus!  After that tour we decided to walk a few blocks over to Beale Street, and on the advice of my former colleague Robb, we went to BB Kings BBQ for lunch.   Not planned, just spontaneous.

On the drive to Tunica Casinos, we spotted the Tanger Outlets, so we decided to go there the next morning.  After I finally figured out the Hollywood Cafe (another suggestion by Robb- and I was being rather dense because I have always liked that song), we returned there AFTER the outlets for lunch.   Funny thing was that we were just a mile or so away from the restaurant the night before and didn't realize it was there.  

But now we are home.  Today's drive was long and we were ready to be back in our living room once again.  Because there was drizzle and some light rain showers in southern Illinois, we scratched the plans to visit Cave-in-Rock and Garden of the Gods.  Some other time I guess.  But we did stop at Big Peach, drive through Terre Haute, and re-trace the route that we had driven so many times when Megan and Hilary were at ISU.  Lots of memories from those four years.

Looking forward to a good night's sleep tonight in our own bed!  I don't sleep well in hotel rooms for some reason, and my pillow was just not working out for me on this trip. ( I need to add 'new pillow' to my Christmas list).

Lots of ideas for future blog posts so check back often!  I am ready to write!

The last day on the road

One week ago yesterday we hit the road for our first ever September adventure. No school calendar for the first time since I was 5. No harvest yet. Just some free time with no important events on the calendar, so we left home and went on the road for a few days.

Destinations?

Wooster, Ohio.  The Wayne County Fair.  Dinner with Dale and Karen. Lodi Outlets. Smuckers. A movie - Scully.  A stop to see Dad at the cemetery.  Spending Sunday with Greta and Kent. Taking a box of Lerchs Donuts to Mom.

Memphis, Tennessee - Graceland.  Rock and Soul Hall of Fame.  Sun Studio. Mississippi River. HUGE Bass Pro Shop.  Tunica casinos.  Hollywood Cafe.  Beale Street and lunch at BB Kings. Gus's Famous Chicken.  A  surprise dinner with Tina Reinhold at Corkys BBQ

The drive north - from Olive Branch, Mississippi to Memphis, through Arkansas, through Missouri, to Illinois.

Cairo, ILL - when the Mississippi River meets the Ohio River and merges into one

Paducah, KY- the National Quilt Museum, Hancock Fabrics (very disappointed in this)

Today is the last day.  Plans?  Riverfront in Paducah.  Maybe Cave-in-Rock and maybe Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest, then onward to the north

More later.  Typing on the iPad has been a challenge, plus I can't add any pictures.

Good trip? Absolutely! Lots of fun. Lots of memories. No stress.  Just relaxation. Take it as it comes.

Graceland

I have to admit that I have always been "star-struck."  If I visit a place connected to a famous person, I always say to Gary..."I can't believe I am actually standing where Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address" or "I am really singing 'Hey Jude' with Paul McCartney in Bankers Life!"  A pre-conceived picture of a famous place also lives in my head, which often leads to a sharp reality check when I visit that place.

Such was the reality check last night.  When we drove past Graceland yesterday evening, I was shocked that it seemed so small, that it was so close to the public street, and that it seemed to be in a neighborhood.  Where were the big entrance gates with guards, the expansive lawns, and the isolation that I expected for The King?

Fast forward to after our visit to Graceland today.  While neither of us were big Elvis fans (we were of the Beatles era), we were both captivated by Graceland and the story of Elvis, his parents, Priscilla, and Lisa Marie.  Using the iPads and headphones gave us the flexibility to move through the house and grounds at our own pace, to stop and look more closely at areas of special interest, and to check for other pictures that were available of nooks and crannies closed to visitors.

My favorites?

• The chandeliers - oh my! So gorgeous!
• The pool room with the fabric walls and ceiling.  I didn't  catch how many yards of fabric were used, but it had to be hundreds.

• Seeing the old window air conditioning units on the outside of the jungle room and then seeing a film clip of Elvis and Priscilla playing around in the yard and seeing those same AC units in the background 

• The dining room - and it is still used by the family at special times of the year

• The pool - not massive or spectacular, just a typical pool of the 60s or 70s

• The memorial gardens with the graves of Elvis, his grandmother, and his folks, along with an eternal flame and a stone to remember his stillborn twin brother

• The background music - all Elvis
• The memorabilia, especially the vehicles and the clothing.  The jeweled jumpsuits were spectacular!

We arrived before 9 a.m., stood in line, and we transported from the service center to the grounds in one of the first few buses.  We finally left the area after a late lunch five hours later. 

Even though the tickets are a little high, the tour is well worth the money spent.  Walking around Graceland, walking into the Lisa Marie (his plane), listening to the music, and hearing his story made for a fantastic first day in Memphis.

Elvis didn't leave the building.  His spirit still lives on at Graceland. 

Wired Differently

As I was listening to the YouTube video for Week 2 of the Uninvited OBS,  I was riding along I -65 in the Escape, heading to Nashville. Since I don't have headphones or earbuds, Gary was forced to listen also.  After it ended, he said, "Men and women are just wired differently."

Lysa discussed past hurts today and referred to things she remembered from middle school.  Junior high for me was hard because we had just moved to Mt. Vernon. Trying to fit in with what I perceived to be already established circles of friends was hard.  Add to that a mother who had resisted the move and was making our lives miserable as we were trying to adjust, and the total was an unhappy, overly-sensitive girl trying to find her place in a new environment.

I was thinking about something that happened after lunch one day when my new group of friends and I were signing autograph books, Gary made the comment, "Men and women are just wired differently.  Who remembers things that happened to hurt your feeling in middle school?  I don't remember anything like that."

Well, no.  Gary doesn't remember those types of things anyway.  He isn't that type of person. His next question, though, was a little more thought-provoking.  Do people remember those hurtful things that they have said years ago? I don't know.  Do people realize that what they have said has been hurtful? Maybe bullies do.  But could ordinary people make a comment that unintentionally hurts someone, and the speaker doesn't realize just how hurtful it has been?

We hear so often that until we walk in someone else's shoes, we don't know what that person isgoing through.  We are reminded on FB daily that we never know what a person has experienced before we interact with her or her that affects the reactions we receive.

So I agree.  Men and women are wired differently.  But I can take it one step further and add that all of us have different wires that connect and re-connect depending on past experiences, emotions, and current circumstances.

Something to ponder on this drive to Nashville.....

Perfect Timing?

They say "timing is everything," right?

Every time we have a trip to Wooster, I am tense. It isn't as nerve-wracking when the rest of the family is along, but when it is just the two of us, my nerves are brittle.

What happens then?  I cry. I get mad.  Everything anyone does or says is wrong. I am angry. I don't like it, but it happens.  I know why, and I just can't control it. The tension is there. Everyone should stay away from me.  Really.

The problem?  Memories.  Expected treatment. Apprehension.  Do I call or not?  Can I handle this without others to be buffers?  What if she lashes out at me again? Feelings of worthlessness. Being a bad daughter. Even though I expect it and I have adopted a "she can't hurt me any more" attitude, deep down inside I still dread a visit.

As we were driving along this morning, I read the daily devotion from Proverbs 31.  Even though I can handle the barbed remarks and the negativity plus all of the embellishments she adds to her stories, I need help with controlling my pre-visit anxiety.  Reading this helped.

Copying the link into today's blog post means I can readily find it again when I need the reminder.


http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=f63562b3be485ea0ae33acf18&id=b12d4ac665&e=d3da1de501

Yes, "Timing is everything."  But "God's timing is perfect."

Refuel

Often I feel like I am running on empty.  Even now, with retirement as the word I would write in the "Place of Employment" line on any type of form.

Why is that?  Is it because I am trying to do too much.  Possibly.

Is it because I haven't found my routine yet?  Some would say there is no routine in retirement.  That is part of the definition, right?  Retirement = lack of routine

But I am one who needs a place, a purpose, a routine of some kind. 

After two 'running on little sleep' days, especially yesterday when the Fitbit showed just 3 hours and 42 minutes of sleep the night before, I slept hard last night.  I didn't awaken at all in the night and finally felt the need to go downstairs to the bathroom around 6 a.m.  For me that was an accomplishment in itself since my eyes usually saw a time around 2-3 a.m. for that nightly trip, then I couldn't return to sleep very quickly, if at all.

Now it is nearly 7:00 a.m.  It is still dark.  There have been lows grumbles of thunder.  The sidewalk is wet.  The weather.com app shows 'Light Rain' for Winamac.  I am sitting in the recliner, checking my morning devotions email.

What do I find?  Just what I need....of course.  A message from Proverbs 31 ministries.  A couple of weeks ago Greta, Hilary, and I attended the Belong Conference in Columbus and I was very disappointed, especially after the conversation with one of the reps the next week.  But I do find just what I need for spiritual growth and encouragement from Proverbs 31.

A new Online Bible Study began this week focused on the book Uninvited by Lysa Terkeurst.  The Facebook group that I was a part of during the last study has re-formed and we are already deep into the first chapters.  But even more important is the daily devotions, which I have been receiving for months but I read only sporadically.  Today something led me to check my email first, then click on the daily devotion.

The title?  "When You're Running on Empty."  Katie McCown's message today was just what I needed to hear.  Especially relevant to me was her story about waking at 2 a.m. and using that time for God.  Why don't I do that?  Maybe it is God's way of carving out a time just for me to communicate with him, relax, and rest easy for the remainder of the night.

So often I feel empty, and it isn't because of Gary or the girls or the kiddos.  It isn't because I have nothing to do, because our calendar is busy.  It is because I haven't been starting my day with God, spending time with God during the day, or using the time in the middle of the night as the perfect time to refuel my spirit.

Filling my spiritual tank must be my #1 priority.  Starting today....

Proverbs 31 Ministries <devotions=proverbs31.org@mail151.atl21.rsgsv.net>; on behalf of; Proverbs 31 Ministries <devotions@proverbs31.org>

KFC

For several months Mom Siemens has had no appetite and finding something for her to eat that she likes has been a challenge.

Yesterday Gary called me after he talked with her before mowing her yard.  He said we had a mission when we went to Lafayette today:  go to KFC and pick up something for Mom to eat.

This is what happened - she said she had a dream about KFC Original Recipe chicken and cole slaw.  That sounded good to her, and she wanted us to pick up some items for her.

Her list?

• 8 pieces of chicken, original recipe
• 2 big containers of cole slaw
• 1 big container of fried chicken livers

I could do that.  KFC is located in the same area as VS Nails, and I could pick up the items after my mani/pedi in the afternoon.

I walked into the KFC and smiled at the young girl behind the counter and told her I needed about 16 pieces of chicken (some for us too), three containers of cole slaw, and a container of fried chicken livers. Oh..and a large diet for me.

She said she was new, and that she wasn't sure what she was doing, but she punched in some numbers and came up with $47. 53.  Ok...not going to work.

So I asked what kind of deals  or specials there were that might be close to what I needed.  I explained that my mother-in-law was not eating well, but that she really had a craving for cole slaw from KFC and a couple of pieces of original recipe chicken, dark meat.

Ok...she came up with another package with included 8 pieces of chicken.  One container of cole slaw, one container of mashed potatoes, another container of mashed potatoes and gravy and four biscuits.  That sounded good, but I didn't really want the potatoes.  Could I sub cole slaw?  Sure.  Swap the potatoes for cole slaw.  So that will be cole slaw, another cole slaw, and mashed potatoes and gravy.  Wait.  No.  Can I swap out another mashed potatoes for cole slaw?  She thought about it, then agreed that she could do that. 

The next question made me laugh.  "Do you want this for here or to go?"  Through the chuckles I said, "Yeah, right!  Like I am going to eat all of that sitting here? To go, of course!"  She smiled weakly and said she thought so, but she needed to be sure.

After I stopped at Hilary's house to pick up Gary and see the kids again, we headed home.  I could hear her on the phone when Gary called to tell her we would be there in an hour with dinner.  She was so excited.

When we walked into the kitchen, there were three plates on the table plus forks and spoons and a bowl for her cole slaw.  She was ready.    She said the cole slaw tasted SO good.  She ate a few chicken livers.  She pulled a couple of pieces of meat from the chicken leg and wrapped the rest of it up in a napkin to put into the fridge for later.

When Sandy came over to bring her trash for the pick up tomorrow, she told her that she had a GOOD meal, thanks to us.  We brought her just what she wanted.  It tasted SO good.

It warmed my heart to see her eating something that she was craving, that tasted good to her, and that we didn't have to coax her to eat.

She will have enough leftovers for a couple of meals for the rest of the week. 

And you know...I am not surprised about the effects of the cole slaw.  When I was pregnant with Megan, I craved KFC.cole slaw and mashed potatoes.  Must run in the family.

Garden Gate Tea House

Each summer my neighbor/good friend Tina and I get together for lunch since my teaching schedule is loose and I have more free time.  Since retirement was looming and other events were getting in the way (like her trip to visit son Grant in Denver), we decided to wait until her return and visit the tea room in Delphi.

I had suggested the tea room to Megan and Hilary as a possible site to celebrate their birthdays with Tessa since Tess might really enjoy a grown-up tea party.  The girls dashed my hopes for an afternoon tea by wrinkling their noses and shaking their heads and telling me I should go with someone else, like Tina, who would really enjoy such an adventure.  I must have had a disappointed look on my face because Hilary wrote a note in my birthday card in early May that SHE would take me to the tea room as part of my birthday present (and I think she has forgotten this, by the way).  Anyway they were overjoyed when I told them that Tina and I were making a trip to Delphi for tea today.  

If you look at the website (link here on the page), you will find a complete list of teas offered.  My peach green tea was served in a china teapot with individual warmer.  The delicate china teacup was exquisite and held the perfect amount of hot tea to sip during our conversation and afternoon tea.  

The first course was soup.  Tina selected the 'soup d'jour' which was a cheesy celery and I enjoyed a cup of Velvet Chicken.  This was followed by appetizers, scones, and desserts served on a three tiered dish.  One of the treats was the lemon curd which accompanied the scones.  In fact I had to be sure I had added my half of the little cup to my scones since this is one of Tina's favorites!

Since Tina and I were the only customers for the afternoon tea, the proprietor checked on us regularly but was not intrusive to our conversation.  The atmosphere was inviting and relaxing.  If we had had more time, it would have been interesting to survey the decor a little more closely.  Many tea cups and tea pots decorated the small restaurant.

Upon looking at the website, I noticed that a lunch menu is available also.  Some of the salads and sandwiches sound very inviting, and if I return, this will be my focus for the next lunch.  Even though I really enjoy today's offerings, the other items look interesting also.

An enjoyable venture to Delphi?  Absolutely!  Time with a dear friend is always very precious.  Being able to catch up on family and other news in a relaxed amiable atmosphere was perfect.

Gary asked if I would return to the tea room at some point.  Answer?  With him?  No.  I am reminded of the time Mom forced him to go with us to the Pine Tree Barn outside of Wooster and he did NOT enjoy it at all.  He would feel the same about the tea room.  If we are eating in Delphi, he would select Stone House or The Sandwich Shop instead.  But sometime I would like to return with Megan and Hilary for lunch or tea, just for fun.  I think Tessa would really enjoy it when she is a little older.  And if Tina ever wants to go again, I will be ready to hop in the car, stop by her house, and off we will go down 39 to Delphi for another adventure!

http://www.gardengateteahouse.com/

A Day of Labor?

Labor Day.  The first Monday in September.  Yep. That it is.

As a little girl in Mahoning County, Ohio, I knew that Labor Day was synonymous with the Canfield Fair.  Beginning on the Thursday before Labor Day and ending on Monday, the fair was always the signal for the end of the summer and the beginning of the new school year.   Even then I knew that the day after Labor Day was "Teacher Work Day" and we students would have our first day on Wednesday.

The Canfield Fair is where my first 4-H projects were exhibited.  Since I received a champion ribbon for my skirt during my second year, I rode on the hay wagon reserved for all of the project champions through the fairgrounds.  Also Dad always worked at the Ruritan food tent and I remember working at a church tent once, serving those little square boxes of drinks to people who sat at very long tables on rickety wooden chairs.  One year before we moved to Mt. Vernon, Grandpa Wilbur and Grandma Greta took me to the races in the grandstand.  A man sitting behind us asked me to pick the winning horses---and I did!  I am not sure of the criteria I used for my selections, but they were good ones evidently! I also remember that Dad gave me an amount of money to spend while I was at the fair with my grandparents.  With it I bought something for Greta, something for Mom, and a little brown pair of boxing gloves for Dad.  I am not sure why I picked that out for him, but he acted like he loved it and had it on his dresser for years.  Then he told me he kept it in his drawer.  After he died, I looked for that little brown pair of boxing gloves in the drawers of the chest, but I couldn't find them.  I hope they turn up someday.

Yesterday cousin Kim and her husband Mike went to the Canfield Fair and she posted this picture on Facebook.  And you know what?  Since I am now retired, maybe next year I can show Gary what a great fair the we had when I was growing up!

Over the years Labor Day evolved into not just the last holiday of summer, but the last break before we would settle into the routine of the fall semester.  From going to school in Mt. Vernon for 6 years and their late August start, to four years of classes at Indiana State, to teaching for 33 years at West Central, and finally teaching for 10 years at Ivy Tech, the Labor Day weekend was the 'last hurrah' before the weeks became regular and regimented with no breaks before Thanksgiving.  Summer was done.  Over.  Finished.

Labor Day 2016 saw Gary and me doing something different.  We celebrated Owen's first birthday yesterday.  Today we helped Blaine load his Grandpa Yaggie's Moline tractor onto the trailer and take it to their house so he can begin the restoration process.  Landon is SO excited, but his excitement equals his dad's enthusiasm.

 Then Hilary and I started on cutting up tomatoes and onions, then Blaine and Gary helped us finish the salsa making and I canned 18 pints of the hot stuff.

No routine for me to begin again tomorrow because there is no fall semester for me. My perception of the holiday will slowly change.

Labor Day.  The last holiday weekend of summer. 

Celebrating a Special Little Guy

When he was born one year ago today, we didn't know him or how much he would change our lives.  But he did. This little guy captured a piece of our hearts at first sight several days after he was born.

His entrance into our family was a surprise.  We didn't have much time to prepare our hearts or our minds for a new baby.  However, when I held him in my arms for the first time and told him that Mamaw loved him, I knew that he would be my grandson forever.

This year has not been an easy one for his new parents.  They have had to juggle their schedules, report to those who monitor his well-being, and always know in the back of their minds that one day a call could come that would change their lives again.    Each day, however, makes his spot in the family more secure.

Today we celebrated his birthday.  Today was the day just for him.  He has watched his brother celebrate a birthday, his sister celebrate a birthday and an adoption day, and three cousins celebrate their birthdays.  But today was his own, his very own, special day.

Today we celebrated our youngest grandson who has stolen a part of our hearts. His little smile, the recognition when he sees us, the turn of his head when he hears our voices make us realize that he holds us close to his heart as well.  We love him with everything we have, just as we love his brother, his sister, and his cousin.

Even more special is watching how much he loves and is loved by his mommy and his daddy.  Nothing can warm a parent's heart more than watching a daughter and son-in-law shower their children with all the love they can give.....and more.  Watching him follow Landon around the living room or playing with Tessa or listening to Cooper talk to him shows us that bonding with his siblings and cousin has forged ties that will be strong forever.

So today we celebrated his birthday.  Our fourth grandchild turned one.  He isn't a baby anymore.  His personality is developing, and he is curious, imaginative, thoughtful, and impulsive.  He knows what he likes, and he has all of us at his beck and call.  This is just the first of many birthdays we will celebrate with you.  We love you, more than you will ever know.

 

Shopping

 One time I remember that Megan and Hilary told me I was the best dressed teacher at school, but I am not sure they feel the same way about that now. Probably not.  My big fear is that I turn into an 'old lady dresser' with double knits or blah looking clothes. I don't want to look like I am trying to dress too young either, but I do want to be as stylish as I can be.  I also want to be cautious about looking current.  So many times older women are wearing the same items of clothing that they wore 20 years previously and those items are woefully outdated and look that way.  They have stretched, the colors are dull, and the fit is just not right anymore.  Ugh.

Long preface, I know.  But this is what I want to talk about today.  Buying clothes. 

Since Owen's birthday is tomorrow, he needed some new clothes for presents.  We went to Kohls on Tuesday after Gary's doctor's appointment to shop for pants size 12 months and tops 18 months.  After we selected a few cute outfits for him, including some new PJs, I drifted over to the women's section while Gary was looking at new tennis shoes.

As I wandered around, I felt lost.  What did I need?  New dress pants in black, brown, gray, navy?  Nope.  What I had was good.  New tops to wear with the aforementioned colors of pants?  Nope. I had enough to wear to church and Grandparents Day or a court date.  Jean?  Not right now. I had four-five pairs that were good.  New tops?  Not really.  I had plenty.  So what did I need? Really nothing.  Nothing to add to my tops to rotate with black pants so I wasn't wearing the same things over and over again for my classes because I had no classes. I didn't have to add to the rotation so the high school kids wouldn't think "Mrs. S. is wearing the same top again" on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I did buy a longer black top with 3/4 length sleeves to wear with leggings.  Today I found a similar top in pink.  Otherwise, I needed nothing.

For the first time in 43 years I had no need for Back-to-School shopping.  For the first time in 43 years I had no need to add to any new styles and colors to my wardrobe.  It felt really strange.  I saw cute things that I would like to have, but I didn't know where I would wear them.  Since my activities have changed, so have the clothing needs.

Maybe I need to check into more 'at home' type of clothes.  Maybe I do need more leggings and pajama pants and casual wear for home.  Now that is an idea for the next shopping trip.  

I'll need to return to Kohls anyway.  I have a 25% off coupon and $10 Kohls Cash that cannot go to waste!

 

Day in Chicago

Thursday's post was an example of being really down about everything, and as I re-read it this morning, I nearly deleted it.  But I didn't.  Why?  Because I need that reminder of the attitude I DON'T want to adopt!  Geesh!  How depresssing!

Yesterday was the day in Chicago, and it was a super day.  I loved all of it.  I was a little apprehensive about spending the day with Amanda, not because I don't like her, but because I didn't want her to regret asking me to go with her.  We haven't spent a lot of time together just by ourselves over the 10 years she has been my niece.  All of that concern was unfounded because the day was great.

I have seen so many pictures of "The Bean" on FB and I wanted to see it for myself. Millenium Park was so nice, nestled right into the hustle and bustle of the Windy City.  A Jazz Festival was scheduled for this weekend, so vendors were setting up at Wrigley Square.  People from all walks of life enjoyed the sunshine and beautiful blue skies.  Kids were playing in the waters, tourists were snapping pictures in front of The Bean, and people sporting their Cubs shirts were taking advantage of some time downtown before heading north to Wrigley.

When Amanda mentioned a pizza place close by where she and a friend enjoyed 'the best pizza ever,' I suggested lunch there so we could not battle the crowds outside of Wrigley or need to juggle food inside the ball park.  Unfortunately the pizza would take at least 40 minutes, time we didn't have, so we opted for pasta which was good but also plentiful. HUGE servings of mostaciolli and fettuccine Alfredo which we couldn't finish.  We should have split an entree!

The seats for the game were not the best I have had (looking at the back side of left field), but the atmosphere was still electric!  The Cubs played the San Francisco Giants and won 2-1.  It was a quick game, lots of up and down innings, but judging from the amount of time it took us to exit, everyone stayed until the end!  The crowds were energetic and excited.  CUBS WIN!  GO CUBS GO!

It was a good day, it was fun to spend it with Amanda, and it was good to feeling re-energized and ready to hit retirement with a smile on my face and a new attitude!

What I call a 'dumb day'

And that is what today was.  Or has been so far since it isn't over yet.

What constitutes a 'dumb day'?  These things:

• staying in pjs for the bulk of the day with no desire to dress in regular clothes
• sitting in the recliner with no purpose
• using the laptop or iPhone or iPad or a combo of the three to do what?  Play BINGO, check FB, check Dotti's, check emails.  Nothing constructive.
• reading (which isn't a waste of time) and hopping back and forth between narratives, never finishing anything or staying focused enough to do so
• looking at the clock and thinking "Wow!  How did it get to be 2:00 already?  I haven't accomplished anything."
• sorting the laundry, putting in a load, then letting that load sit in the washer for a few hours, missing the opportunity to actually catch up on all the dirty clothes and towels and whatevers
• thinking at 9:00 a.m. that you should really go outside and walk around the house and take in the nice cooler weather----and still be thinking that at 5:30 p.m. since it hasn't been done yet
• checking vacation sites for 'Things to do in Memphis" and suddenly not really caring whether you make a list or not
• watching episode upon episode of "Law & Order: SVU" and not realizing just how many you have watched until you start to think about it
• finding out that if you have just seen an episode of "Blue Bloods" on one station that you can switch to another for a different episode, then you realize that you just saw this one too!

Ok..nothing with these things in singular or occasionally, but when ALL of them happen in one day, there is a problem.

One of my biggest fears about retirement is having more Dumb Days stacking one on top of another.  Something needs to change.

Argument - this is the first day we have had NOTHING scheduled in the last two weeks (and I did plan to go to the Pulaski County Retired Teachers Breakfast this morning but decided to sleep later instead, which I did).

I have plenty of things to do here, such as reading and quilting and cleaning out more drawers and knitting. Plus the weather is beautiful and I should have been outside more.  I could have mowed the lawn today, but I just didn't want to do it. :(

But it was a Dumb Day and I don't want more of these in the near future.  Now I think I will go out to the kitchen and make pizza for dinner.

I still don't get it.

A couple of weeks ago Hilary, Greta, and I went to the Belong conference in Columbus, Ohio.  While it was still a good conference, it was not what we expected.  When it was first presented at the final Women of Faith conference, we felt that it would be changed a bit to hit the younger generation of women while still appealing to those who had attending WOF for many years.

What we experienced was more like a motivational seminar.  The speakers were good. The music was decent.  The atmosphere was positive.  However, there was the absence of worship music, praise teams, and scripture, even references to how God worked in the speakers' lives.  Yes, there were a few references to God, but not enough to really focus on spiritual growth or empowerment.

After checking the FB posts for the event, we felt like others shared our views, while some were very positive about the change in format.  There was a stress on appealing to younger women who were not involved in a church and giving them a safe place to Belong.  I get that.

When I received a response on my FB post, asking me to private message my phone number and a member of the Belong staff would call me to chat about my feelings on the weekend, I did send both my cell phone and home phone numbers.  Yesterday I received the call.

I explained how Greta, Hilary, and I felt - all three opinions.  What the rep said in return, however, was a little unsettling.  She said that this conference was really for those women of ALL ages who did not know Christ, and it was to show them that  conferences like this that were Christ based would not be threatening to them, since many wouldn't walk into a church per se because they did feel threatened or uncomfortable.  They felt that they reached more women over the weekend and brought more women to Christ than if they had stayed in the previous WOF format.  I am a little stunned about that because how can we bring women to Christ and to believe if very little about Christ is spoken of or sung about. 

I was further told that if I AND my daughter AND my sister needed more in-depth study, then a Bible study offered by our churches or small groups would serve that need.  That is not what this conference was about.  Also we could listen to worship music in our cars or on CD and that would suffice to give us the musical aspect of our faith; we didn't need to hear it at the conference.

The more she talked, the more I felt like she was talking down to me.  Since Cooper was peddling around the living room on his tricycle and making quite a bit of noise, and since I felt like it would be pointless to argue with her, I didn't.  I had already decided that I would be looking for something different to attend in the future.

I agree that more young women need to find Christ and we as older women need to find ways to do that.  At our church we have young moms groups and a strong youth program with  adult sessions available for the parents.   What I don't understand is how we can proclaim that more women are coming to Christ after a weekend when Christ wasn't the focus.  How can that be?

A comment was also made that the evening session opened SO much discussion in hotel rooms and in the vehicles driving away after the session ended, and that the trips home were full of discussion on Saturday evening.  Greta, Hilary, and I did talk about the session and we used the booklet as a guide, but the prompts had nothing to do with spiritual growth.  "What if I could do something on my wish list?"  or "What if I could learn something new?" or "What if I could changes something about my job?"  All good questions---but there is nothing in them to lead to a discussion of faith.

I just didn't get it.  I still don't. 

Women of Joy?  Where are you?