HUGE, WHITE, BLANK PAGE

Boy is this page ever white! It's amazing sometimes when I sit down to write how blank the page looks. Other times the challenge is not so great. Kinda like life right now. The unknown, the blank white page, is so enormous, and yet so small. That probably doesn't make sense to anyone but me right now (as I shrug my shoulder) but I guess it's my view and so that's okay. I know I'm rambling, but my blog, my privilege.

Feeling helpless and inefficient today. So much to do. The "should have been" list for what I should have been doing today is quite long. I should have been washing and cleaning the car, I should have been doing laundry, I should have been organizing my craft room, I should have been working on a rocking chair, I should have finished a sign, I should have, I should have, I should have. I did errands with Ray this morning, made pistashio pies and took one to Aaron and Kristin and then I did nothing. Couldn't seem to work up any interest. But, tomorrow is a new day so enough of that!

Okay, okay, Sunday and a new day. Little by little getting things done. Finally, a clean car. For the last week I've felt like Granny and the Clampets. The car was filthy and loaded with cleaning supplies. I hate a dirty car. I'm speaking of mine only, what you do with your car is your own business, Ray's more concerned with washing the outside, I don't think the car has been cleaned unless the inside and windows are clean. So, we teamed up this morning and got 'r done! Now we're both happy and had a great time outside together. I came in and drank my lunch (don't get your drawers in a twist, I had a protein drink) and Ray fried a ham sandwich...can you smell it?. It smells so yummy! We're having a glass of fresh iced tea and taking a break. Then, washing my kitchen down and then completing a sign for a friend. (It will be done when you come back to work Rita.)

Oh, and with any luck, I'll give myself a pedicure and manicure today! Yippee...it's the little things that mean a lot! It's a beautiful day! The sun is out, there's a breeze, sitting here with my feet up writing on my blog, hubby is napping (he doesn't think I've noticed) and puppy is napping at his feet. Now if I could just manage to get up an, get the controller and change the channel from FOX News to HGTV without waking them both up I'd really be on top of the world.

To our family in Maine, have a super great time together. Stay out of trouble Jon! Love you all and hope the weather holds so you can spend the week in the lake.If you have to stay in I know you'll have plenty to do and have fun. Tell Papaw and Nancy to get some great pictures. Can't wait to see the new family photo this year. Can't believe how you're all growing up so fast. Love to you all.


Well, time to get off here, see if I can take a 30 minute nap and then off to scrub down my kitchen and give myself that treat I promised myself!

"Prenuptial", a topic of conversation on the TODAY Show Saturday morning. Some of the discussion sent me on a "trail of my own". They talked about how the up-coming generations considering the marriage examples of the baby-boomer generation and how they are deciding they don't want to be caught the same way. I hope, after nearly 40 years of marriage, that the example of marriage that I am leaving is a good one. I would hope that when a couple marry they really are able to look around them and say, wow, "for better or for worse, in sickness and in health" that really means something. Not, wow, before we go into this we'd better plan on how we're going to get out of it.

I would hope, as a member of the baby-boomer generation, I have set a better example than that.

Now I don't want anyone to head in the wrong direction with this post. I'm not really talking about prenuptials and whether they are right or wrong. This is not a post about what you may or may not have done. This is a post about what I hope I have done and am doing in my life. Every single person has a right to carve their own path and relationships in this world. Good, bad or indifferent, I've carved my own. What I'm talking about here is the example that I have set and hope I am setting for the younger generations to come. I would hope that the example that I am leaving is one of love, joy, commitment, hope, sharing, trust, giving more than I get, tenacity and forgiveness. These are some of the examples I want generations, current and future, to see from my example.

I'm not perfect, far from it. I make mistakes every single day, but my goal in life, as I stumble through it, is to leave this world better than I found it.And I'll tell you something, I found the world in pretty good shape when I showed up. I've had excellent examples from which to watch, learn and grow.

I've thought about this quite a bit through the years, these "living examples" and two of the best have been my mom and dad. Dad is gone now but there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about some example he left for me. My mom is 81 now and she continues to be a living example that anyone would do well to follow. My mom is a very gracious woman who has the most generous spirit I have ever known. When I look in the mirror and see resemblances of her there, or when I hear myself talking and I say , "I sound just like my mother", that's a very good thing.


LIVING EXAMPLES - Jan Jamison
I've watched many lives over the years and the fates that they have met.
I've pondered why and wherefore, through doubts and fears and fret.
I've looked for that example that I always knew was there
Of how to pattern my daily walk, to eventually end up "somewhere".
The world sets standards of wealth and fame that few can barely meet
But the Master has a fail-proof plan if I but study at His feet.
I've finally found my example of the "fruits" I'd like to bear
Of the service I'd like to render and the blessings I'd like to share.
The Lord has given it to me before He gave me life
In parents who would love me, as they struggled with daily life.
I've watched them live their lives, in a manner pleasing God
No matter what the personal cost, no matter where they trod.
In all the Lord provided, they shared with all who came
Never for reward, and certainly not for fame.
They never had a bank account or wealth the eye could see
But both their lives exemplify, the person I strive to be.




Thanks Dad & Mom!

IT's SUMMER - WOO HOO

Summer! It doesn't get much better than this. Sunshine, fun things to do, great places to visit, friends & family, good food, cool water (for swimming or drinking, just be careful to pick the right one at the right time), the County and State Fair and beautiful, awesome weather. It really is hard to beat the summer months. Most of us long for them all winter long. I don't know about everyone else, but I have no idea where Spring went. We had Fall, Winter and Summer. I know Spring was in there somewhere but I sure missed it. I can't believe that we're already in mid-July. I looked up this morning and it's Friday already. Time is passing way too quickly. I can't seem to slow it down no matter what I do. I've tried relaxing in the evenings and watching fewer movies and reading more. I thought that might help. Although I'm really enjoying the change, it's not slowing time down.

@#%@#%$&!@#*)? Please excuse the cursing. I just lost 20 minutes of blogging I just completed. grrr!! I was just about to finish. Now, I'll wait until tonight to complete. I can't get my mind clear enough to finish now.

Okay, let's try this again. See, I'm smiling! Holiday Market - An annual event here in Lane County that we've tried participating in the past several years. But, you know the saying, "life is what happens as we make plans". Well, we're going to try again this year. We have all this sunny summer to get ready. Signs and crafts...right up my alley. It's such a stress reliever for me. However, I can't do it by myself. Ray is an integral part of the action, he has to get all the materials prepped and ready for my fun, crafty part. He does amazing joy in the prep work and by the time the product gets to me, all I have to do is have fun. Aaron keeps telling me that now that I've made about 100+ different signs I should decide on a couple a dozen and duplicate them and get a website going. The website is a great idea and I am going to do that. But, limit myself to a couple of dozen different signs. I don't think I have it in me. Everything around me gives me new ideas for signs. How do I not take it and run with it and see how it will turn out. There's also making very specific signs for specific people. I also love to give them away. Then there's the children's rocking chairs I want to do for friends kids. I have two in my garage right now. One for a friends little boy at work and a chair for a little girl. Then there's the baby doll cradle I'm doing for Josie in purples. This weekend I'm finishing an outdoor sign for a friend and her hubby, one I promised in January! Again, life's plans interrupted my plans but in the end...it all works out. Tomorrow is another day with a fresh new beginning.


And then there's lawn care! Ray and I will be married 40 years this December. Talk about time passing! I do believe that lawn care is his favorite challenge of the summer. He is determined to have the greenest, best kept lawn in any neighborhood we've ever lived in. He'll mow, water, fertilize; mow, water, fertilize all summer long. He takes great pride in having the most beautiful yard. And I must say, he's pretty successful.

This is to say nothing of caring for any rose bush in the yard. I don't think there's any place we've ever lived where he has not planted me a
"Double Delight" rose. We're renting right now and the landlord would prefer we don't plant in the yard. However, God in his infinite love and wisdom, provided the exact rose in Aaron & Kristin's front yard and they share them with me. The summer just continues to be sunny!

JAMISON MUNCHIE JAMISON

Jamison Munchie Jamison


Ya ever say that you're never going to do something no matter what and end up doing it anyway? Sure you do. All of us do for a variety of reasons. Some times it turns out just as badly as you had thought. Sometimes it turns out better than you could have ever imagined.
Jamison Munchie Jamison is exactly one of those cases. Over the years we've had dogs and even a cat. It always ended up with mom taking care of the animal for one reason or another. We also moved a lot because of work and it was just too difficult to deal with an animal, or that was my rationalization anyway. If you had to go on vacation you had to find someone to care for the animal. They're a lot of work. Right on all counts. But, when the right one finds you, there is nothing better. Now I'll admit that I tolerated friends talking about their pets, showing pictures of their pets and expounding on the antics of their pets. I couldn't imaging any pet bringing that much joy into anyone's life. Believe me, I think half the people in the organization where I work are dog lovers. I heard a lot of stories every week.

My hubby had a very clear understanding about how I felt about having a dog again. Having a dog in the house? You've got to be kidding. Now I grew up in the country and my grandpa raised Cocker Spaniels. We loved those little puppies when they were born and hated to see them leave each time. We had cows, ducks, geese, donkeys, chickens and dogs. But, all animals were outside animals.

Every once in awhile the subject of having another dog would come up and my same hesitations were there. I'm still working and knew I didn't have time to take care of a dog too. Not long after our son Aaron got married he and Kristin adopted a puppy. Belle is the best, sweetest dog you'd ever want to meet. She quickly adopted hubby as Grandpa. Not long after, hubby got that gleam in his eye again and, to make matters worse, our daughter-in-law, Kristin works at an animal clinic, is with animals all day and would adopt everyone she could. So, she starts sending pictures and links of dogs and puppies to hubby and he starts looking. He kept forwarding things to me and I tried not to look, but you know how well that works. Finally one day he called and said he had found one (1 yr old) that he'd really like to go look at. It was a Friday, I was pooped (excuse the pun) and the last thing I wanted to do was go look at a dog when I knew we weren't going to get one. Hubby asked that I think about why he wanted one. He wanted the company. He's been retired for a few years and I'm still working and he really wanted the company....so, I went. But spouting "conditions" the entire ride there. We can't afford one, what if it gets sick, what if we want to take a trip, what if, what if, what if. I finally said, "ok fine, but if you decide on this dog. it's yours. I don't want anything to do with it, you take care of it and it's your responsibility." We arrived, were invited into the home, asked to have a seat and this extremely energetic, dark eyed, black curly mass jumped up into my lap. I was a gonner.


Our lives will forever be better because of this little jewel God put in our lives. He's a wonder. We cannot imagine life without him. He goes with hubby everywhere (except now when it's too hot in the afternoons). Hubby walks him, "poops" him, feeds him, takes him to the groomer, takes him to the vet, makes sure he has his heart guard but when "mom" comes home, "that's all she wrote", he's my dog. He can't wait to show me a toy or a bone he's been saving or play a tug game or climb in my lap to get his back scratched. I love this little guy, and he loves me....he loves hubby too and hubby loves having him around. It's been great all way round. Oh, and he's a house dog too! I didn't think I'd ever see the day when I had a dog in the house, but where else would he be? He brings so much joy to our lives. I think he even has me beat when it comes to being stubborn. (Don't laugh, that is possible!)

Sometimes in life you just need to take a chance. You never know what joy it might bring.

CARS

As Ray and Aaron were taking me to work this morning my mind wondered, as it often does these days, back to memories we've created throughout the years. I was thinking back about his dad teaching him how to drive and laughed to myself as I thought about some of the vehicles that we've had. It's amazing sometimes how inanimate objects take a life unto themselves and make us laugh. It's not that they stand up and speak, or do they. But they do seem to have a voice. Think about the conversations that have happened in that car; talks about kids, school, church, work, life, family, friends, anger, love for each other....every type of conversation known to man has probably be held in that car. Think about the memories in that car. It doesn't matter if it's a fancy car, a car that's falling apart, a family car, a sports car...doesn't matter. Memories have been created there.

We've had many a car in our day. Hubby was in sales and marketing for years and back then, a company vehicle was provided. We've had cars in all shapes, size, owned, rented and in various stages of conditions. Just as I imagine you have had. We've memories of all of them. I remember when Aaron was little and I was helping him with doing buttons on his clothes, working with zippers and tying shoes etc. They made a "doll" that helped teach these skills so, being the great mom that I am, I bought one of these "dolls". Boy did dad have a problem with that one. But it really helped Aaron learn the processes and helped me show him how. At some point, the company car was in the garage so we had a rental for a few day. When we turned that rental car in Aaron's doll got left in that car "accidentally". Sorry son, dad owes ya.

Aaron was the best child ever to travel with. He could take two action figures or a pile of Legos and spend hours traveling having a great time in back seat, or he'd lean over the front seat and fall asleep. Aaron never stopped when he was little. He was on the go constantly. Much like he is today. But, when he did slow down a minute, especially riding in the car, he fell asleep. It was always great fun to all of a sudden hear silence and look over your shoulder and there his little head would be on the back of the seat and he'd be sound asleep. Memories. What a wonderful thing. As he got older and had cars of his own, they weren't always the greatest. Sometimes they were four wheels and a frame. I remember an old Buick once that looked pretty good on the exterior, but it could afford to. On the inside most of the door panels were gone, the upholstery had seen many better days and if I remember correctly, it was lopsided. As I watched him leave the driveway one day and I said my quick prayer, "please keep him safe Lord", I began to think about where that car had been in its life and the memories that had been made in it.

The Old Buick
jan jamison

I drive an old Buick, it looks like it hurts
I haven't figured out all it's kinks and its quirks
The body is showing the life that it's had
I want it to tell me "bout the life that it's had
The headliner's falling, the sunroof won't work
I just can't imagine why it rumbles and jerks
This old Buick I drive get's me where I want fine
I don't really care...most of the time!
I just imagine down deep, deep inside
The memories it carries are those of great pride
The day it helped Bill get the dog to the vet
The children were crying 'bout the fate she had met
The day that my grandma came for a stay
To make memories for grandkids as she joined them in play
The time it helped Susan, the neighbor due East
Who thought she'd been chased by a terrible beast
The night it gave comfort to a lonely, lost man
As he stumbled and tripped and reached out for a hand
I know this sounds trite as far as life goes
To imagine a Buick with memories like those
It isn't the Buick this tale is about
It really is simple, I'll share with you how
The Buick is simply a tool that's been sent
To share with God's children, their lives and events
If all you can see in these versus you've read
Is an image of a Buick inside of your head
You'd better consider the course that you've taken
The lives that you've touched, the decisions you're makin'
Cause you haven't got it, the truth about life
You'll need all these answers, you must get it right!

To those of you who might be reading. Thanks for allowing me to share these memories with you. Life continues to be an amazing ride. I'm so thankful I know who's at the wheel.

Reality Is

Just heard someone say, "it's a reality show". I don't think anything better describes life right now. Every single thing is reality. Some of it not too pretty, but some of it pretty great if I really stop and look. It was a difficult day at chemo for Aaron today, but, I got to spend a couple of hours with him after. And reality is, any time I get to spend with him is super great.

We have a "new" HR department at work. New meaning that 3 of the 6 of us are new since last November. The reality is, it was a long wait but well worth the waiting. We have a super great team. We work together, laugh together and cry together when necessary. We share and support each other. Tomorrow we're having an HR "Luau" Open House to introduce our full team and let our co-workers throughout the organization know who in HR is responsible for what. To let them know we are there for them...and have some great fun too. We did the final planning this morning. The reality is, it's a whole lot of work. However, the reality also is, we're going to have a ball doing it. I just spent 3 hours baking cake. Hawaiian Wedding Cake...no, no wedding that I know of until October, but it was a great and easy recipe and fit the occasion...better than a carrot cake from COSTCO this time. It's full of pineapple, coconut and macadamian nuts. Woo-hoo! It was a lot of work. The reality is, it was work I love doing. I love to bake and make candy so it really wasn't work. A little odd to have the oven on for 2 hours in this heat. But, raw cake? Not so good!

Life is great isn't it. It doesn't always, actually it never, comes out perfect. But, it's wonderful to have each day that we can choose what we want to do and be. We even have tons more choices today than we did 5 years ago. The technology is wonderful. Because I had to leave early today I was able to ship documents home that need to be completed on Friday. I just emailed them back to myself to work so I can complete the final draft tomorrow. All while baking cakes and doing what I love.

Reality is, I love life. I don't always like what's happening in it. But life in general is pretty darn great. Reality keeps me true to myself. I don't have time to play games or not be sincere. Right now, I don't know what tomorrow brings with my son, but the reality is I'm going to make every single second with him count.

Strawberry Cream Pie

Strawberry Cream Pie (the easiest recipe you'll ever come across.) Oh, by the way. I'm positing the recipe because Aaron has had several requests for the recipe.

The original recipe I use to make was made with sweetened condensed milk. However, that ingredient is positively a no-no for a diabetic, of which I have two in my family. So, as with other recipes they love, I began to "play around" (no, not literally!) and see what I could come up with that would taste as close to the "real thing" without the diabetic deadly ingredients. You can use any kind of fresh fruit. My guys however have always wanted the strawberries. I added the blueberries for the 4th of July for color. Now hubby has a new favorite.

1. Either bake a single crust (I always do two because it seems useless to me to bake only one). This a recipe for two pies. Or, use an already prepared graham cracker crust. (This will add some sugar but I have done it on occasion.) ;
2. Blend together in a mixer until creamy 3 - 8oz packages of non-fat cream cheese;
3. Add 1/2 cup Splenda and continue to beat until completely smooth;
4, Add 2 - 8oz Sugar Free Cool whip; blend until smooth
5. Pour into prepared crust of your choice and make a shallow indention to hold the fruit.
6. Cover and chill in fridge for about 1 hour.
7. Fruit prep: Wash and hull 1 pint of fresh strawberries, cut or slice anyway you choose. Add 1/3 cup Splenda and stir until blended. Chill
8. If you are planning to serve all 6 or 8 pieces (I wouldn't dare serve my guys 1/8th of a pie!) add all the fruit to the pie at once and slice to serve. If you are just cutting a few pieces I cut the pieces I need and add the fruit to each piece. It keeps the fruit from getting "mushy" and runny on the remainder of the pie. Actually, it's really easier to cut and serve the entire pie this way but not as pretty if you're making a presentation of your pie. Enjoy!

By the way, the tablecloth was purchased at Goodwill many years ago, my favorite shopping spot and the dishes I purchased at a close out for $.49 each. I love a good bargain that I can use. It's not a bargain just to buy it and have it.

If you read my previous blog, hubby and I just completed Goal #4, we accomplished Goal #5 yesterday and now it's time for Goal #6...expecting the sunshine any time now.

Looking forward to another beautiful week with friends, family and co-workers. See you all later, thanks for dropping in.

Sunshine and Life

A three day weekend. Yippee!

Goal #1 - Get Up
I began the day by doing just that. Goal #1 accomplished. I'm still trying to get caught up from our trip to NY. Don't really care, every second was worth it and I'd do it over in a heart beat. It's suppose to be a beautiful weekend. Looking forward to accomplishing several things around the house, having lunch tomorrow with kids and friends, doing laundry, cleaning garage and craft room and remembering all the while why I am blessed with this 3 day weekend.

Thanks to all of you current and past who have put your lives in jeopardy and left your family and homes so I can enjoy my life and be with my family. I can enjoy this weekend, basically anyway I choose, because you have been or are, willing to do what you are doing. or have done Thank you!

As I prepare, or I should say we prepare, my husband and I, for my retirement, we are looking at many things. Can we afford it? Really, can we not? Friends have all told me that "when it's the right time you will know". It's the right time. What are we going to do with ourselves? Not sit around, that's for sure. Lord willin' and the creek don't rise, we're headed East. I want to spend the next 40 years or more:) getting to know the Jamison side of the family. I want to see and experience first hand all the places I've heard and read about my entire life. Lofty goal? You bet, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Life is too dang short to not take the chance. Will it absolutely happen? If there's one thing I've learned the last few years, there are no absolutes. Plans, dreams and goals are some of the things that keep us moving. Life also requires flexibility. Sometimes life gives us a bend when we think it should be a straight line. Just don't loose site of the goal!

So, back to my day. Like I said, Goal#1 has already been accomplished and it's only 7:30 am. I'm up.

Goal#2 - Breakfast and Shower
Those should be no-brainers. Although sometimes breakfast can be a challenge because I hate eating breakfast, "the most important meal of the day".

Goal#3- Cleaning House
Now some of you may shutter at the thought of this. I love cleaning my house. Dusting is not a favorite task of mine or Ray's. But cleaning my home in general gives me a great since of accomplishment. I have a LOT of dusting. I love to collect and can go from one collection to another. I've thought about toning it down and have. But as I look at what remains to be dusted, here are my thoughts:

The Collection
Our lives are fill with memories
Of things we must collect
They sit on shelves and gather dust
From non-use and neglect
I guess i should consider
What this collection means to me
Is it important to my image?
Do I really want to clean?
The thought of never having
The things that I collect
Would mean I have no memories
I want to recollect
So 'tho I hate to dust and clean
And wipe away the smears
I'd rather do these thankless tasks
Than do away with years
-Jan Jamison 1998

Goal #4 - Clean Garage/Shop & Craft Room (oh boy, you have NO idea)
In order to accomplish a larger goal, make our signs for this winter's Holiday Market, I have to accomplish a smaller goal. Life is like that sometimes. Most of the time actually. In order to meet the larger goal in our life we have to take care of smaller ones to get to the larger one.

Goal#5 - Enjoy time with family and friends
Now who could ask for anything more. Family and friends. What a treasure they are from the Lord. They're all put in our lives for a reason. Do we want to avoid each other at times? We surely do! Do we rub each other wrong at times? We surely do? Are we all different? Hopefully! But hasn't God been so gracious to us to give us family and friends that love us, care about us, want to share with us (sometimes through gritted teeth) but non-the-less, who are we to question why the Lord has put someone in our lives. If you really want to know, spend some time with that person and figure it out. Don't make assumptions about people base on what you've been told, or what you think someone has said or even things you see. Really get to know that person and find out for yourself. Family or friends. That's what you'd expect of them isn't it?

Goal #6 - Enjoy the Sunshine and Relax
Now this sounds very simple doesn't it? This actually can be a very challenging goal for me. Relaxing I mean. Sometimes I have a real problem recognizing what this is for me.Probably because I have "14 million" (this might be a slight exaggeration) things I always want to do. The truth is, sometimes "doing" is a relaxing thing for me. To be in my craft room creating something for someone that I think will give them joy or pleasure is relaxing for me. Being in my kitchen creating a special candy or treat for someone that I know they really enjoy is relaxing for me. Sometimes it's reading a book. Sometimes (more often than not these days) it's writing. I guess we all really have our own definition of what relaxing means. The important thing is to recognize what it is for each of us and then spend some time doing it. Oh, another really huge relaxer for me is hitting (no, not literally) the thrift stores and rummaging through them. I love it, as anyone around me can tell you!

So all in all, I guess goals are a good thing. They help us organize and recognize our accomplishments. Build some fun in and have a great 3-day weekend. I'm going too!

Friends

Do you ever wonder why it is you have the friends you do? Me too! Do you ever wonder why someone was on your path that day? I often think about the many people that have wondered in and out of my life, and me theirs, and the things we each have brought and left behind. They may not all be "friends", maybe acquaintances, maybe co-workers (who hopefully are a little of both). Your definition of friendship is probably quite different than mine. But no matter what you call them, people that cross your path in this lifetime have an impact on your life. It might be so small you don't recognize it right away, or at all for that matter. But, an impact they do have. I look back on my life and wonder many, many times about where people that I have known are right now. Did they marry? Have kids? Move to another country? Are they happy? Sometimes I wish I could re-connect just to see how what their past 40 years have been like.

Over the pas 40 years we, my husband, son and I, have lived many places. I could say that it's been very difficult and not at all pleasant. But, if I said that, I would negate all the lives I've had a chance to be a part of. It would have probably have molded me into a different person. (Some might say this would have been a good thing I imagine.) However, to change even one small detail would have changed the outcome of where I am and who I am. Believe it or not, I'm pretty content with where I am right now. I don't know if I were any different if I could handle the task the Lord has in front of me right now. The task of emotionally supporting a son who is dying of cancer and his wife. I'm finding it can be quite e a daunting task. Don't get me wrong, it's not the supporting that's difficult, it's the reason, the cancer that is taking him away. It is in no way burdensome. It is a privilege that the Lord is giving me the strength to hold on and keep a smile on my face. But, just because you see that smile does not mean that my mother's heart is not broken. It is. And I know that one of these days, I'm going to crumble. I know that too. But you know what? I have a husband who is unfailing. He's right there every step of the way. He might not understand what's going on or why I'm reacting the way I am but his arms and heart are always there even when he's hurting too.

I have tons and tons of friends, those people and acquaintances, who have crossed my lifelong path that are there and are lifting me up in prayer and support. I don't even know who they might be, but I know they're there.

I have family. Wow, what would we do without family? Sometimes they're crazy or we are or the mix is crazy, but you know what, even though we might get really, really ticked at the way they react or respond it's still our responsibility to love them and treat them with respect. If we all reacted and responded to every situation the exact same way what an awful world this would be. They have a right to their feelings and responses just the way we do. And I'm just going to throw this out there for good measure. If you have a problem with someone, please go talk with them about it and not to every other member of the family. Good gracious people, we all make mistakes. Enough said.

I have this enormous, wonderful support group at work. They are amazing! They check in on me, they listen when I want to scream and yell or when I want to pound something (my desk, not my co-worker!) They support me and "keep the fires burning" if I need to take time to spend with my son. I don't have a clue as to how to let them know what they all mean in my life. As always, "thank you" sounds so trite, but I know they know I mean it from the bottom of my heart.

So as you make your way through your day be aware of the people that cross your path. Say hi, acknowledge them, give them a smile. You just never know what tomorrow will bring.

Thanking God

My hubby continually encourages me to be who I am and to use the gifts the Lord has given me. He, my hubby, is the best encourager in the whole wide world. Of course, according to him, I'm perfect. Sometimes I argue with him...sometimes not. Let him believe what he wants to believe, he knows what's true. It's really cool to have people in your life that see what you are capable of and encourage you to give it a whirl. I'd hate to think what my life would be without him in it. As I look forward to retirement next year we're looking forward to new adventures and spending more time together. Life has never been boring and I don't intend to let it begin now.

Well, anyway, whether a gift or not, one of the things I get great joy in doing is writing. Why did I stop? Sometimes the words just don't come. Sometimes they're not the words I want to put to paper. Sometimes they're words that I think people might not want to hear. But you know what? I enjoy writing, it's something I miss. So good, bad or indifferent I'm going back to it.

It feels good to have a voice again. (Don't get me wrong, having a mind of my own and sharing my views has never been a problem for me.) But, writing with a voice is different. When you're talking, you have the option of "clarifying" what you're saying if you can see that what you're saying is being misunderstood. When you're writing you don't get those verbal indicators.

I must say that in looking through some of my previous writings I can almost pinpoint exactly what mood I was in. I really had to laugh at a few of them. Some I was really, really ticked and it sticks out like a sore thumb. That gave me a real tickle. I was really, really ticked. Too bad I can't remember what I was ticked about. Guess I should make specific notations about what's going on when I write these things:)