Have you ever noticed how your step gets lighter when someone compliments you? It can be about your hair, your blouse or even your shoes. Maybe it's just a woman thing but compliments are wonderful to give and to receive.
Case in point: The wind is blowing like a mo-fo these days. Forget about spending any amount of time on making the hair look decent. My hair just kinda hangs in my face anyway so I fit right in on windy days. (This is only time I can say something positive about the damn wind.) I went to the local credit union and the teller was kind enough to tell me that she really likes my hair. Hhmm, what is she really trying to tell me? She asks me if I had gotten highlights recently. I assured her that the last time I could afford highlights was before Obama was elected president. At any rate, I told her I could show her how easy it is to acquire the look I am currently sporting. I put my hands in my hair and scrunched and shook the hair and VIOLA! instant bed-hair. Well, the tactful description is "windy day hair".
So even when you think you're having a bad hair day, somebody is likely to think your hair is looking really great. And I left the credit union thinking, "wow....wonder if I can get away with this look when the wind isn't blowing?" And my step was lighter and my head was held a little higher simply because someone took the time to give me a compliment.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Hummingbirds
I can smell it. I can almost taste it. And I can certainly feel it. Spring has sprung!
The arrival of the hummingbirds was marked last Saturday when I spotted one lone hummingbird hovering around the area where I hung the feeders last year. I immediately dug out one feeder, cleaned it and filled it with sugar water. Within a couple of hours the hummingbird population increased from one to fifteen. I now have two feeders up and will refill them on a regular basis until September. I never have used red dye in my sugar mixture. Mama read somewhere that the "red" on the feeders is enough to attract the birds and she is right. I didn't even attempt to count the number of birds yesterday evening. There is always a feeding frenzy first thing in the morning and at sundown every evening.
And why is there is always the one bird who is a mean son-of-a-bitch to the rest of the birds? For being so tiny, these birds are agressive as hell. I've seen the same thing at the ranch with the hummingbird who appoints himself as keeper of the feeders. He'll perch in the tree or on the fence guarding the feeders. As soon as another bird lights, WHACK! The mean bird literally attacks all other birds to move them away from the feeders. And this goes on all. day. long.
I currently have two feeders up at the ranch but I will have to increase that to four feeders by this weekend. Dennis will have between six and eight feeders at his house. Mama will also have at least that many hanging from the oak tree right outside the back door. Sam doesn't get it. He thinks feeding hummingbirds must be a "woman thing". And he cringed when he saw me hanging the feeders a couple of weeks ago. But he helps take care of them anyway. I will mix up a couple of bottles of sugar water and leave them by the back door. All Sam has to do is pour the mixture in the bottles and be done with it. And even though I know he will tend to the birds for me, he always has to tell me: "Robin, your birds are mad at you. Their feeders are empty."
Gray Cat likes to get on top of my vehicle and watch the hummingbirds. No way will he ever be able to catch one of them. I've seen the cats at the ranch accidentally catch one from time to time. But Gray Cat? Maybe I can train him to focus on the mean bird and I won't care if he catches that one.
The arrival of the hummingbirds was marked last Saturday when I spotted one lone hummingbird hovering around the area where I hung the feeders last year. I immediately dug out one feeder, cleaned it and filled it with sugar water. Within a couple of hours the hummingbird population increased from one to fifteen. I now have two feeders up and will refill them on a regular basis until September. I never have used red dye in my sugar mixture. Mama read somewhere that the "red" on the feeders is enough to attract the birds and she is right. I didn't even attempt to count the number of birds yesterday evening. There is always a feeding frenzy first thing in the morning and at sundown every evening.
And why is there is always the one bird who is a mean son-of-a-bitch to the rest of the birds? For being so tiny, these birds are agressive as hell. I've seen the same thing at the ranch with the hummingbird who appoints himself as keeper of the feeders. He'll perch in the tree or on the fence guarding the feeders. As soon as another bird lights, WHACK! The mean bird literally attacks all other birds to move them away from the feeders. And this goes on all. day. long.
I currently have two feeders up at the ranch but I will have to increase that to four feeders by this weekend. Dennis will have between six and eight feeders at his house. Mama will also have at least that many hanging from the oak tree right outside the back door. Sam doesn't get it. He thinks feeding hummingbirds must be a "woman thing". And he cringed when he saw me hanging the feeders a couple of weeks ago. But he helps take care of them anyway. I will mix up a couple of bottles of sugar water and leave them by the back door. All Sam has to do is pour the mixture in the bottles and be done with it. And even though I know he will tend to the birds for me, he always has to tell me: "Robin, your birds are mad at you. Their feeders are empty."
Gray Cat likes to get on top of my vehicle and watch the hummingbirds. No way will he ever be able to catch one of them. I've seen the cats at the ranch accidentally catch one from time to time. But Gray Cat? Maybe I can train him to focus on the mean bird and I won't care if he catches that one.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Job Verification
I just have to share this story.
The UPS guy that has part of the Little Town route has been looking for a house to buy for about a year. He finally found one that meets his expectations, made an offer and signed a contract. Due to circumstances beyond his control, things didn't work out like he planned so he is going to rent the house and purchase it within a year.
Mr. UPS had to meet with the owners of the house to discuss the things landlords and tenants need to discuss. Mr. UPS showed up for his "interview" dressed in his UPS uniform and driving the big brown truck with UPS on the side of it. Keep in mind that Mr. and Mrs. Owner are from Austin. (need I say more?) The Owners wanted to know a little bit about Mr. UPS' background. There were the usual questions which are to be expected.
This is the part that had me shaking my head:
Mr. Owner: "How long have you worked for UPS?"
Mr. UPS: "A couple of years."
Mr. Owner: "Where did you work prior to this job?"
Mr. UPS: "Small Town County Sheriff's Department."
Mr. Owner: "And why did you accept the job with UPS?"
Mr. UPS: "I am making 2-1/2 times the salary, better benefits and no crime."
Mr. Owner: "Well, I am going to need verification of employment from UPS."
Mr. UPS: "I'm not wearing this uniform and driving that truck for free. But here is my supervisor's name and number."
And Mr. Owner contacted the supervisor and received confirmation of employment. Yes, I am from a small town and can only shake my head at the absurdity of Mr. Owner's thinking. I realize times have changed but I struggle with the lack of trust among the human race. The days of sealing a deal with a handshake are over. The days of "the good ol' boys" are gone and I miss them.
The UPS guy that has part of the Little Town route has been looking for a house to buy for about a year. He finally found one that meets his expectations, made an offer and signed a contract. Due to circumstances beyond his control, things didn't work out like he planned so he is going to rent the house and purchase it within a year.
Mr. UPS had to meet with the owners of the house to discuss the things landlords and tenants need to discuss. Mr. UPS showed up for his "interview" dressed in his UPS uniform and driving the big brown truck with UPS on the side of it. Keep in mind that Mr. and Mrs. Owner are from Austin. (need I say more?) The Owners wanted to know a little bit about Mr. UPS' background. There were the usual questions which are to be expected.
This is the part that had me shaking my head:
Mr. Owner: "How long have you worked for UPS?"
Mr. UPS: "A couple of years."
Mr. Owner: "Where did you work prior to this job?"
Mr. UPS: "Small Town County Sheriff's Department."
Mr. Owner: "And why did you accept the job with UPS?"
Mr. UPS: "I am making 2-1/2 times the salary, better benefits and no crime."
Mr. Owner: "Well, I am going to need verification of employment from UPS."
Mr. UPS: "I'm not wearing this uniform and driving that truck for free. But here is my supervisor's name and number."
And Mr. Owner contacted the supervisor and received confirmation of employment. Yes, I am from a small town and can only shake my head at the absurdity of Mr. Owner's thinking. I realize times have changed but I struggle with the lack of trust among the human race. The days of sealing a deal with a handshake are over. The days of "the good ol' boys" are gone and I miss them.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
The OK Cafe
Exchanging emails with a classmate of mine, (we'll call him "Coby") has triggered many memories that I had put aside without really thinking I would ever visit that part of my brain any time soon.
One of the topics we touched on was local eateries. Coby asked me, "Where was the best place to eat back in the day?" Of course I answered, "DAIRY QUEEN!" Coby quickly responded, "No way. It was the OK Cafe!" My gosh. How could I have forgotten about the OK Cafe? The most mouth-watering chicken fried steaks and who could ever forget the catfish that was caught "below the Mason Crossing" and served with hush puppies and/or french fries? And it was all fried, yes ma'am, it was FRIED all in the same grease.
The OK Cafe was a regular stop for everybody in Little Town. The 6am coffee drinkers could meet and greet while drinking the best damn coffee in town. Lunch rush? Don't stop at the OK Cafe if you were expecting to eat in a hurry. There was only one speed and it was what we affectionately know as "granny gear". The after-five crowd would gather for the coldest beer in the county and catch up on what had transpired during the day. And it was THE family place to go for a home-cooked meal when Mama didn't feel like cooking. Forget a kids menu! Kids were given the same amount of food as the adults and, by God, there were never any leftovers to take home in a doggy bag. (I didn't know what a doggy bag was until I visited a very ritzy restaurant in Austin several years later in my life.)
After reading Coby's email about the OK Cafe, I drove down the street to where the eatery once stood. In its place now stands a lumber store. There is absolutely no indication that a cafe used to take up residence just a few blocks south from the North Llano River. I don't remember when the doors closed for a final time at the OK Cafe. I am a little fuzzy, too, on exactly what the layout was of the interior of the cafe other than red vinyl booths and the smell of grease. I do remember the awning that allowed customers to have covered parking.
As Kris often says to me, "It's all good, Mama, it's all good." And that's how I'd like to remember the OK Cafe.
One of the topics we touched on was local eateries. Coby asked me, "Where was the best place to eat back in the day?" Of course I answered, "DAIRY QUEEN!" Coby quickly responded, "No way. It was the OK Cafe!" My gosh. How could I have forgotten about the OK Cafe? The most mouth-watering chicken fried steaks and who could ever forget the catfish that was caught "below the Mason Crossing" and served with hush puppies and/or french fries? And it was all fried, yes ma'am, it was FRIED all in the same grease.
The OK Cafe was a regular stop for everybody in Little Town. The 6am coffee drinkers could meet and greet while drinking the best damn coffee in town. Lunch rush? Don't stop at the OK Cafe if you were expecting to eat in a hurry. There was only one speed and it was what we affectionately know as "granny gear". The after-five crowd would gather for the coldest beer in the county and catch up on what had transpired during the day. And it was THE family place to go for a home-cooked meal when Mama didn't feel like cooking. Forget a kids menu! Kids were given the same amount of food as the adults and, by God, there were never any leftovers to take home in a doggy bag. (I didn't know what a doggy bag was until I visited a very ritzy restaurant in Austin several years later in my life.)
After reading Coby's email about the OK Cafe, I drove down the street to where the eatery once stood. In its place now stands a lumber store. There is absolutely no indication that a cafe used to take up residence just a few blocks south from the North Llano River. I don't remember when the doors closed for a final time at the OK Cafe. I am a little fuzzy, too, on exactly what the layout was of the interior of the cafe other than red vinyl booths and the smell of grease. I do remember the awning that allowed customers to have covered parking.
As Kris often says to me, "It's all good, Mama, it's all good." And that's how I'd like to remember the OK Cafe.
Monday, March 23, 2009
The Hole in the Back Door
I have a screen door on the north side of my house. The screen has been replaced numerous times because its that crappy "mesh" instead of "metal" screen. The bottom half of the door is divided into four sections. At one point, the Gray Cat decided to create his own kitty door and practically ripped the mesh into smithereens. He was running from the vacuum cleaner which wasn't even turned on. Stupid cat.
In the meantime, Daisy discovered the kitty door and began utilizing it as much or more than Gray Cat. I didn't mind so much that he had created the kitty door except it looked crappy. I replaced the mesh on the upper part of the door. I decided to put plexiglass on the bottom half of the door. This required attaching two pieces of plexiglass to the existing door frame with screws. Unhappy cats.
A diesel pickup went down the side street one afternoon. Gray Cat does not like loud noises and this was no exception. He raced from the middle of the backyard and hit the top part of the mesh. BAM! Gray Cat had created a yet another kitty door. It didn't take Daisy long to realize she could still come and go as she pleased.
And now we have yet a new and improved kitty door. I noticed one day that the right upper quarter of the plexiglass was lying on the patio. It appeared that the plexiglass had maybe cracked and it was then puked out onto the patio. My theory is that Gray Cat hit it at a dead run with his entire 12 pound body and CRACK! He was probably aiming for the previous hole in the mesh and under shot his aim.
I toyed with the idea of replacing the entire door but have since relinquished to the felines. It really is a matter of convenience and works best when the door is latched. Otherwise the door opens when the cats push off the door with their back feet when going outside. It's the slamming of the door that bothers me. Now if we could only train Simba to utilize the kitty door......
In the meantime, Daisy discovered the kitty door and began utilizing it as much or more than Gray Cat. I didn't mind so much that he had created the kitty door except it looked crappy. I replaced the mesh on the upper part of the door. I decided to put plexiglass on the bottom half of the door. This required attaching two pieces of plexiglass to the existing door frame with screws. Unhappy cats.
A diesel pickup went down the side street one afternoon. Gray Cat does not like loud noises and this was no exception. He raced from the middle of the backyard and hit the top part of the mesh. BAM! Gray Cat had created a yet another kitty door. It didn't take Daisy long to realize she could still come and go as she pleased.
And now we have yet a new and improved kitty door. I noticed one day that the right upper quarter of the plexiglass was lying on the patio. It appeared that the plexiglass had maybe cracked and it was then puked out onto the patio. My theory is that Gray Cat hit it at a dead run with his entire 12 pound body and CRACK! He was probably aiming for the previous hole in the mesh and under shot his aim.
I toyed with the idea of replacing the entire door but have since relinquished to the felines. It really is a matter of convenience and works best when the door is latched. Otherwise the door opens when the cats push off the door with their back feet when going outside. It's the slamming of the door that bothers me. Now if we could only train Simba to utilize the kitty door......
Friday, March 20, 2009
Wills and Inheritances
Never have I been so happy for a week to come to its conclusion. We spent three out of five days at the courthouse doing research. Abstracts and surveys do not excite me which isn't a good thing in my line of work. But it is a paycheck and for that I am grateful.
I have come across Wills that have made me crack up. For example: "To my son, Bubba, I leave my tractor, the old green jeep, 20 sacks of cake, 8 bales of hay....and all of my tools if he can locate them."
Another good one: "To my daughter, Jill, I leave $1.00. To my daughter, Jodie, I leave $1.00. To each of my grandchildren, I leave $50.00. To my girlfriend, I leave all of my personal belongings including all of the antique furniture, the balance of $123,846.91 in my personal checking acount and all of my stocks and bonds." Don't you know his blood relatives were PISSED OFF?!
How about this one: "To each of my three children, I leave everything. They can fight over it and figure it out for themselves."
My daughter will inherit my debts. And all of my crap. I told her she can have one helluva garage sale when I'm gone. She cringes every time I send her into the utility/storage room to find something. There are two places in my house that scare me: my sock drawer and the utility/storage room. Maybe I should do some Spring cleaning.....
I have come across Wills that have made me crack up. For example: "To my son, Bubba, I leave my tractor, the old green jeep, 20 sacks of cake, 8 bales of hay....and all of my tools if he can locate them."
Another good one: "To my daughter, Jill, I leave $1.00. To my daughter, Jodie, I leave $1.00. To each of my grandchildren, I leave $50.00. To my girlfriend, I leave all of my personal belongings including all of the antique furniture, the balance of $123,846.91 in my personal checking acount and all of my stocks and bonds." Don't you know his blood relatives were PISSED OFF?!
How about this one: "To each of my three children, I leave everything. They can fight over it and figure it out for themselves."
My daughter will inherit my debts. And all of my crap. I told her she can have one helluva garage sale when I'm gone. She cringes every time I send her into the utility/storage room to find something. There are two places in my house that scare me: my sock drawer and the utility/storage room. Maybe I should do some Spring cleaning.....
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Random Thoughts
20 Random Thoughts
1. I am a neat freak to the point that it drives other people crazy.
2. I inherited my grandmother's riding lawn mower -- circa 1980.
3. Love is having that warm and tingly feeling when you are with someone.
4. Kris and her daddy, James, went to Hawaii last summer and the natives thought Kris was James' girlfriend. (sickos!)
5. Saturday is Katybug's birthday.
6. The Gray Cat likes to drink tap water from the bathroom sink faucet.
7. I attended a White Snake concert when I was eight months pregnant with Kris.
8. When I was in the second grade I wanted to be a vampire and have black hair. (freaked out that teacher!)
9. Mrs. Bettesworth was my least favorite teacher in junior high school.
10. I have two sisters and one brother.
11. I am allergic to red wasp stings.
12. I have a diversified circle of friends.
13. AC/DC still rocks!
14. I don't sing in church and I don't sing in the shower.
15. As kids, we had a pet javelina hog that thought she was a dog.
16. I remember watching "Easy Rider" at the Moon Glo Drive-In.
17. Patrick Duffy aka Bobby Ewing of "Dallas" bought me a beer in Acuna, Mexico.
18. Rain is an awesome aphrodisiac.
19. The smell of Pickle Tink, I mean, Tickle Pink makes me nauseous.
20. David Simon taught me how to "two-step" in the fourth grade.
1. I am a neat freak to the point that it drives other people crazy.
2. I inherited my grandmother's riding lawn mower -- circa 1980.
3. Love is having that warm and tingly feeling when you are with someone.
4. Kris and her daddy, James, went to Hawaii last summer and the natives thought Kris was James' girlfriend. (sickos!)
5. Saturday is Katybug's birthday.
6. The Gray Cat likes to drink tap water from the bathroom sink faucet.
7. I attended a White Snake concert when I was eight months pregnant with Kris.
8. When I was in the second grade I wanted to be a vampire and have black hair. (freaked out that teacher!)
9. Mrs. Bettesworth was my least favorite teacher in junior high school.
10. I have two sisters and one brother.
11. I am allergic to red wasp stings.
12. I have a diversified circle of friends.
13. AC/DC still rocks!
14. I don't sing in church and I don't sing in the shower.
15. As kids, we had a pet javelina hog that thought she was a dog.
16. I remember watching "Easy Rider" at the Moon Glo Drive-In.
17. Patrick Duffy aka Bobby Ewing of "Dallas" bought me a beer in Acuna, Mexico.
18. Rain is an awesome aphrodisiac.
19. The smell of Pickle Tink, I mean, Tickle Pink makes me nauseous.
20. David Simon taught me how to "two-step" in the fourth grade.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
RAIN!
Praise the Lord! IT IS RAINING!! The first wave rolled through Little Town about 3am. And my, what a thunderstorm it was. Daisy was already in the house but I knew I'd better check for Simba and Gray Cat. I barely got the front door open and Simba bulleted past me looking for cover. I hollered for Gray Cat between claps of thunder and gave up after about 10 minutes. Lo and behold, as soon as I went back to bed I heard "MMMMEEEEOOOOWW" at the door. And there stood a very drenched and very pissed Gray Cat. All three cats took refuge UNDER my bed for the duration of the storm.
At 8:00 this morning, my stepmother reported 3/4" and the ranch got 0.83". The general report in town was an inch. I'm sure the gauges are filling back up with the latest round of showers. The earth is certainly drinking its fill in and around the county. We have had rain off and on since about 1pm and it is absolutely wonderful! (RK, sorry you are having internet problems.)
We've been under a statewide burn ban for quite a while now but I suspect we'll see smoke signals on the horizon as soon as the rain dissipates. GLORY BE! LET IT RAIN!!
At 8:00 this morning, my stepmother reported 3/4" and the ranch got 0.83". The general report in town was an inch. I'm sure the gauges are filling back up with the latest round of showers. The earth is certainly drinking its fill in and around the county. We have had rain off and on since about 1pm and it is absolutely wonderful! (RK, sorry you are having internet problems.)
We've been under a statewide burn ban for quite a while now but I suspect we'll see smoke signals on the horizon as soon as the rain dissipates. GLORY BE! LET IT RAIN!!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The Texan Theater
I was exchanging emails with a classmate this morning. He asked me if the kids still "drag Main" in Little Town like we did back in the day. My thoughts then turned to the "Texan Theater".
We actually had a movie theater while growing up in Little Town. The same movie was shown Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights and we sometimes would go all three nights. I know I watched "Star Wars" and "Rocky" every night they were the featured movies. My first movie memory was "Alice in Wonderland". Mama took me to see the movie and we ate popcorn and Junior Mints washed down by a large Coke Icee. My first co-ed movie was "Jaws" and we sat on the very front row. It would've been more fun if the guy sitting next to me would've swapped places with the cute guy (aka CGC). As it was, I ended up with a death grip on the arms of my chair instead of the arm of the cute guy.
My parents would drop us off at the movie theater while they met with other adults for dinner and drinks at the Club Las Lomas. My siblings and I watched movies that I have never heard of since the night I watched it at the theater. I can't even remember what was showing the night of my first real date to the movies. I was so darn nervous about the guy trying to hold my hand or sneak a kiss that I was counting the minutes until the credits started rolling. I guess he got the hint because he didn't even walk me to the door when he took me home. And Mrs. C would walk up and down the aisles with her MagLite looking for kids that were making out. And what was up with the guys always trying to cop a feel when the lights dimmed and the movie started?! Ok, never mind on that one. Teenage hormones.
Remember "Nightmare on Elm Street"? That was the first Freddy Kruger movie. I went to see it with some friends when I was a senior in high school. I had babysitting duty that night so I took Kelli with me. Poor kid -- she was only five years old! She didn't sleep for a week after seeing that movie.
As tradition would have it, Kris and her friends used to hang out at theater. The floors were still sticky with soft drinks and Mrs. C still cruised the aisles until her health begin to fail.
The Texan Theater closed several years ago for reconstruction. It hasn't re-opened and that is a shame because it is a Little Town landmark. The little theater still holds fond memories for me. I can still smell the buttered (REAL BUTTER) popcorn and hear Mrs. C saying "SSHHHH!" as she brandishes her flashlight like a flaming torch.
We actually had a movie theater while growing up in Little Town. The same movie was shown Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights and we sometimes would go all three nights. I know I watched "Star Wars" and "Rocky" every night they were the featured movies. My first movie memory was "Alice in Wonderland". Mama took me to see the movie and we ate popcorn and Junior Mints washed down by a large Coke Icee. My first co-ed movie was "Jaws" and we sat on the very front row. It would've been more fun if the guy sitting next to me would've swapped places with the cute guy (aka CGC). As it was, I ended up with a death grip on the arms of my chair instead of the arm of the cute guy.
My parents would drop us off at the movie theater while they met with other adults for dinner and drinks at the Club Las Lomas. My siblings and I watched movies that I have never heard of since the night I watched it at the theater. I can't even remember what was showing the night of my first real date to the movies. I was so darn nervous about the guy trying to hold my hand or sneak a kiss that I was counting the minutes until the credits started rolling. I guess he got the hint because he didn't even walk me to the door when he took me home. And Mrs. C would walk up and down the aisles with her MagLite looking for kids that were making out. And what was up with the guys always trying to cop a feel when the lights dimmed and the movie started?! Ok, never mind on that one. Teenage hormones.
Remember "Nightmare on Elm Street"? That was the first Freddy Kruger movie. I went to see it with some friends when I was a senior in high school. I had babysitting duty that night so I took Kelli with me. Poor kid -- she was only five years old! She didn't sleep for a week after seeing that movie.
As tradition would have it, Kris and her friends used to hang out at theater. The floors were still sticky with soft drinks and Mrs. C still cruised the aisles until her health begin to fail.
The Texan Theater closed several years ago for reconstruction. It hasn't re-opened and that is a shame because it is a Little Town landmark. The little theater still holds fond memories for me. I can still smell the buttered (REAL BUTTER) popcorn and hear Mrs. C saying "SSHHHH!" as she brandishes her flashlight like a flaming torch.
Monday, March 9, 2009
March Birthday Party
The March birthday party was absolutely one of the best days I've had in a while. It was just cool enough to enjoy the camp fire (I know --- we 're under a statewide burn ban) while visiting with the people I hold near and dear to my heart. Everybody brought a food contribution and we had a spread rivaled Luby's. The kids planned their weekend so they could all be here as well.
As the day winded down, I took into account that I am blessed to be right where I am. The economy sucks, attitudes are becoming more and more negative and who knows what our children and grandchildren will face in the future. It was nice to take a time-out from all the bullshit that we get so wrapped up in every day. Life is too short to let negative people and situations get you down. Take advantage of every opportunity to spend time with loved ones. And surround yourself with the people who you love and make you feel loved. Above all, surround yourself with people who make you laugh!
"HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY" to those of you born in the month of March!
As the day winded down, I took into account that I am blessed to be right where I am. The economy sucks, attitudes are becoming more and more negative and who knows what our children and grandchildren will face in the future. It was nice to take a time-out from all the bullshit that we get so wrapped up in every day. Life is too short to let negative people and situations get you down. Take advantage of every opportunity to spend time with loved ones. And surround yourself with the people who you love and make you feel loved. Above all, surround yourself with people who make you laugh!
"HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY" to those of you born in the month of March!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Economy Hits Home
The economy situation finally hit home. And by "home" I mean I took a direct hit yesterday. We were notified by e-mail at 4:45pm on Friday that effectively immediately the company will no longer be paying for 100% of our health insurance. So if we want to keep our health insurance it will be a 50-50 split between the company and the employee.
Granted, I shut down my computer at work at 4:30pm on Friday so I didn't get the message until Monday. So with struggling to make ends meet as it is, I opted to keep my health insurance which will now be a sizeable chunk out of my paycheck each month. No big deal? In the grand scheme of things I guess it really isn't a big deal. At least I still have a job but I'm getting a little uneasy about that. My supervisor assures me that our office won't suffer any cutbacks but I've been losing sleep about it lately.
When I woke up at 2:00 this morning, I decided to pray instead of fret about the current situation. Let's just say that I fell asleep somewhere along the way during my prayer. I didn't wake up with any immediate answers but I did feel a certain calmness. Venting about it this morning only left me feeling immature but I had to get it out of my system.
And so I'm utilizing Rana K's budget worksheet to ensure that I know exactly where the money is going each month. My debts far outweigh my income but I hope to be able to keep a close eye on each and every dollar. Sigh. This is the part where I question why I gave up alcohol during the season of Lent.
Granted, I shut down my computer at work at 4:30pm on Friday so I didn't get the message until Monday. So with struggling to make ends meet as it is, I opted to keep my health insurance which will now be a sizeable chunk out of my paycheck each month. No big deal? In the grand scheme of things I guess it really isn't a big deal. At least I still have a job but I'm getting a little uneasy about that. My supervisor assures me that our office won't suffer any cutbacks but I've been losing sleep about it lately.
When I woke up at 2:00 this morning, I decided to pray instead of fret about the current situation. Let's just say that I fell asleep somewhere along the way during my prayer. I didn't wake up with any immediate answers but I did feel a certain calmness. Venting about it this morning only left me feeling immature but I had to get it out of my system.
And so I'm utilizing Rana K's budget worksheet to ensure that I know exactly where the money is going each month. My debts far outweigh my income but I hope to be able to keep a close eye on each and every dollar. Sigh. This is the part where I question why I gave up alcohol during the season of Lent.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Fort McKavett
I went to Fort McKavett on Saturday for my first tour of the fort. Oh sure I had driven by the fort on several different occasions but never took a time out to stop and nose around the ruins.
My good friend, Nancy, works at the fort. I timed it so that I arrived towards the end of her shift so she could give me the "tour". She was working in the gift shop/museum on Saturday. WOW -- talk about stepping back in time. There are replicas of Indian artifacts as well as flags that I assume once flew at the fort. The museum hosts a time line beginning with the Apaches being overtaken by the Comanches. Nancy ended my history lesson with the story of Scab Town residents helping themselves to the abandoned fort for lumber and anything else they could get their hands on. Ah, good ol' Scab Town. The name says it all. It was located across the river from the fort and was the downfall of many a soldier on a Saturday night. Barmaids and brawls go hand in hand.
One cannot go to Fort McKavett without stopping at Pete's for a cold one. Pete's is located off-premises of the fort just down the road. This spot in the road sports all kinds of character. Pete has a menagerie of novelty items stashed along the walls and even nailed to the ceiling in his place of business. There is a huge wood burning stove in the middle of the room and it was the main attraction when Nancy and I stopped by.
A bit of trivia that I learned: My dad, an accomplished rock mason, assisted with the restoration of the fort in the early 70s. Thank you, Nancy, for the history lessons and for sharing that tidbit of information about my father and his contribution to the fort.
My good friend, Nancy, works at the fort. I timed it so that I arrived towards the end of her shift so she could give me the "tour". She was working in the gift shop/museum on Saturday. WOW -- talk about stepping back in time. There are replicas of Indian artifacts as well as flags that I assume once flew at the fort. The museum hosts a time line beginning with the Apaches being overtaken by the Comanches. Nancy ended my history lesson with the story of Scab Town residents helping themselves to the abandoned fort for lumber and anything else they could get their hands on. Ah, good ol' Scab Town. The name says it all. It was located across the river from the fort and was the downfall of many a soldier on a Saturday night. Barmaids and brawls go hand in hand.
One cannot go to Fort McKavett without stopping at Pete's for a cold one. Pete's is located off-premises of the fort just down the road. This spot in the road sports all kinds of character. Pete has a menagerie of novelty items stashed along the walls and even nailed to the ceiling in his place of business. There is a huge wood burning stove in the middle of the room and it was the main attraction when Nancy and I stopped by.
A bit of trivia that I learned: My dad, an accomplished rock mason, assisted with the restoration of the fort in the early 70s. Thank you, Nancy, for the history lessons and for sharing that tidbit of information about my father and his contribution to the fort.
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