Big Gov'ment

Amazing what silly things are actually true. Today I was on my walk and approached a Deptford Township truck that was repainting the blocks on a pedestrian crosswalk. As I got closer, I noticed that none of the men were working. (That totally peeves me as I'm paying their salary) I counted seven men. I said "hi" to the two sitting on the sidewalk chatting with one another. The head guy was in the truck trying to look important. Two were in the road turning that "slow/stop" sign back and forth and two other were just hanging out on the side of the road shootin' the breeze.

As I came up to them I said, "So this is what it means to 'watch the paint dry.'" They chuckled and agreed. I spoke with them a bit longer and they both said that would be about all they did today.

Big Government.

Shoes

I must have tried on literally 20 pairs of tennis shoes today. I must have super funky feet because I need another pair of shoes. My feet hurt so badly when I walk in the morning. I have purchase Asics, Nikes and Easy Spirit tennis shoes in the last year. All of them hurt my feet. So I went out tonight in search of another pair. I went to Famous Footwear because I had a 20% off coupon. I thought I'd be able to find something. They have a tons of shoes. NOPE!!! I did. I tried on 20 pairs of shoes. Bless Lucy's little heart. After each attempt, she'd careful package them up for me and put them away. I'm very grateful for her help. As a reward, she did get a new pair of shoes. :)

If anyone has a suggestion of their favorite type of tennis shoes, please share. I tried on Nike, New Balance, Asics, Avia, Addias, Easy Spirit and Reebok shoes in every style and color. I got desperate enough to consider black shoes. I did find a pair of Reeboks at Sam's club for $25 that I'll try now that I"m home. They were cheap enough to bring home and try out in the house.

What a great post, huh?

Stumbling Blocks

I am so THANKFUL for stumbling blocks. And I'm also thankful that I'm recognizing them sooner as well.

I found out something negative someone had to say about me yesterday. It sent me into a momentary tailspin. I worked hard (and am still working) on figuring out the problem.

My first reaction was to pull back and not be who I want to be. "Oh yeah," I thought, "I'll show you." Then I really started to ponder about it. I like being positive and trying to reach my potential.

What was my stumbling block? Well, probably a couple. Caring about someone's negative judgment about me. Caring that they didn't want to be like me. :) But, almost giving into the temptation to be just as negative and judgmental.

I'm so thankful to that person who was negative. Because, I know myself better now. I have defined to a greater degree who would be a better influence and motivator for me.

I may sound selfish, but it's my blog. I'm choosing to be thankful. Thankful for blessings in disguise.

I read this quote today, that I really really liked.

"Gratitude is about shifting into appreciation and opening your perception to opportunity, instead of lack."

I don't know who wrote it, but it fits me perfectly right now.

We started with sign language classes yesterday. Super duper fun. The kids are loving it.

I was working with Leah this evening on her colors in sign language. I asked her what color my hair is. She pulled my head down and said with absolute surety, "Gray". Not in sign language.

Outta the mouths of babes.

Morning Musings

I am so thankful I chose to go for a walk this morning. What a lovely day! No humidity and a cool, gentle breeze-what a bonus. I'm starting to get a little faster in my walk so I have to walk further to complete my 30 minutes. I met another neighbor today. Cute little lady. Donna.

Yesterday when I was walking I talked with Nick. He has a house that borders the busy Hurffville Road. He told me that he has a friend who owns a HUGE farm in Mullica Hill and Nick goes down there and picks as many tomatoes as he wants and sells them to the passersby on Hurffville Road. I asked if I could go pick the maters. He said probably not but he would ask. Wouldn't that be just awesome if I could get some cheap tomatoes? What a glorious thing that would be. I'll keep putting it out to the Universe.

So, I'm making friends in the neighborhood. I'm getting a walk in and I'm actually starting to enjoy it. I still want to get up earlier. My plan for the challenge isn't really working very well. The one thing I have been consistent in is the walk. So, maybe out of my original plan, develops a different result. I'm not giving up. It's only been a week.

Tomorrow I'm teaching a class in the stake on pressure canning. I did one on water bath canning about a month ago. It went well with 15 people there. Tomorrow's class is going to be a bit more involved. I canned some hamburger yesterday with my new little canner I bought at Walmart. It doesn't have a gauge on it like my big ones. BUT I kinda like it better because you don't have to watch the gauge, you just listen for the jiggling sound the weight makes. I did 10 pints of hamburger yesterday. I'm sure it's going to gross everyone out tomorrow when I show it to them. It really does look nasty. But it tastes very good.

That's it for now. The natives are getting restless.

Day Four

I have done much better today. Yesterday I did well with the getting up and exercising but not with the writing. I got a bunch of phone calls starting at 7:30 in the morning.

So today, I was up at 6am and out the door by 20 after the hour to go for my walk. I met the little Indian man's wife today. She's a joyful thing. She invited me for tea, which I thought was lovely. We talked for a while. I really struggle to understand their English, but it's fun to talk to them. Her name is Houlip? Huu-leep and his name is Yorginda. The last name is Sanni. He didn't have his turban on this morning but he did have his hair tied up in a little knot on top of his head.

So, I did some writing today. I actually enjoyed it. I just kinda started writing from the question, "Why am I writing this book?" And it just started to flow. Nothing really profound but it was good for me. I was thinking that I had made a very poor choice in choosing to write this book. I told Melanie Hoffman yesterday that I think I'd rather pluck my eyebrows for an hour every day vs. writing for an hour.

Okey Dokey. That's it for me. How are y'all doing? The blogs have been VERY quiet as of late. Maybe I just don't have a life so I'm blogging all of the time. Hmmm....something to think about.

Crash and Burn

That's my day. I did NOTHING to accomplish my goals today. I was up in the night with a sick stomach and just haven't felt very well today.

So, as the song goes ..."There's always tomorrow". That's my plan. I'm heading to bed now to catch up on my rest.

I did get a nice pot full of green beans from my garden today though. That made me extremely happy. I just love fresh green beans. YUMMY!

See ya tomorrow!

Lucy's Baptism Book

First Day of Challenge

Well, I want you to know that it was because of all y'all doing the challenge that I got out of bed this morning and went walking.  Thank you.

Why was it hard?  Who knows.  I met my little Indian man.  He's a nice guy.  I did notice that he wears the steel bracelet the faithful Sikh wear.  His turban was a bit askew.  They're never supposed to cut their hair, but comb it twice a day with a special comb and then curl it into a knot and use the special comb to keep the knot in. Then they put the turban over that knot. 

You learn so much with my blog huh?

I got up at 7am and finally left the house at 7:30.  I was home by 8am.  I went downstairs with my glass of ice water to begin writing.

Ok, I may have chosen poorly for this challenge.  That was like torture sitting there for just an house trying to think of something to write.  I know what I want to write but I don't know how to write it.  I'm not giving up, just commenting on my first day.

How did y'all do?