It's The Simple Things

I think, if we think about it, it's the simplest things in this life that have meant the most to us.  At least I am finding that out.

Today, I am so grateful that while my brother-in-law was at Lowe's shopping for whatever, he dropped my sister off here and she and I had an hour to chat and laugh and giggle, and catch up.

Simple?  Yes--and it just made my whole weekend!

Then Pammie called.  We also laughed and joshed each other back and forth.  She and I are so alike!

Simple?  Yes--and it just made my day!  

Grateful

Today, 

I am very, very grateful that the sun is shining brightly, 

steaming in through the windows to warm my house 

AND 

that today, 

is the last day 

of the longest month in the entire year!

February 27th

Truly Grateful

Today I am so grateful that after two weeks of communication via e-mail and 

one week of talking on the phone, 

I took one more chance and,

finally accepted a date with a guy named Fred, 

10 years ago on this day.

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Yes--it took me a while!  I had sworn off on men--nasty critters that they were.  A couple of long-term relationships, that started off nicely, but always,  ALWAYS, it ended through no fault of my own.

I could not take another chance.  I had become comfortable living on my own and then...coincidence or God happened, and quite by accident this, what appeared to be a really down to earth, nice man, found me.

By the end of that first date, we were both quite smitten with each other.    Perhaps because we had communicated so much before we met?  We already knew each other's history and at least, didn't have to go through all that on the first few dates.

I have been grateful ever since and still am.  How lucky I was that, for the first time in my life, there was someone who really loved me.  The first man I ever completely trusted.

Grateful

Lenten Gratitude

Today I am so grateful that I filled up my car with gas yesterday.

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I had to run up to Wal-Mart today.  On my way, I passed the gas station where I got gas yesterday for $2.29 a gallon.  It was the same.

Forty minutes later, on my way back home, I glanced and noticed, gas was now $2.49 a gallon--same station.

Pearl got the surgeon's report on her uterine tumor that was removed.  Benign!!  I am grateful for that too.

It's A Shiny Day

Lenten Gratitude--Day 8

Today I am grateful that the sun is out, 

the wind is down and even at 19 degrees, 

it wasn't too awfully cold while I filled up my car gas tank.

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It was stated in the news that Livingston County is the richest county in Michigan.  Which makes me ponder on why I am living in this County. I knew within three months of moving here that doctor, dental, medical, etc. rates where higher than the County I had just come from.  Gas prices always seem to be a bit higher here also.  Home prices certainly are.

The crime rate is extremely low, which is a good thing.  We have a population of 190,00 in this County.  96.8% White, 0.6% Black, 0.9% Asian, 1% Hispanic.  Which may explain the low crime rate. (That sounds racist, doesn't it?).  Well, truth is, as truth is.

I have lived here 12 years and I have seen perhaps a half dozen Blacks.  Of those half-dozen, five are either doctor's or attorneys, working at the U of M in Ann Arbor.  I saw a black lady in Wal-Mart last week and it sort of startled me.  I guess I have become accustomed to living in a "white" world.

Before I moved here, I lived in Saginaw and before that, I worked in Flint.  The population of white to black in those two areas is about 60-40.  We all moved around together and thought nothing of it.

Wouldn't it feel strange to be in a big Wal-Mart store and be the only person of your race?  She didn't appear to be uncomfortable, but was in a hurry.  The Wal-Mart is just one mile off the expressway--perhaps she came from the expressway and just ran in for a few items?  I don't know, but I saw other's reactions and they seemed taken aback too.  It is that unusual, in this County.  Anyway, she was behind me in the "20 or less" check-out lane and I told her to go ahead of me,  She had a lovely smile and said, "Thank You."

Where is this going?  I have no clue.  I live in the richest County in Michigan and it is 96.8% white, the crime rate is very low and I wonder if that has anything to do with it..  (There I go again.  Sounding like a racist!)
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Today I went to the Food Bank.  What a disappointment.  Perhaps because it is late in the month?  They had no ground beef--in fact they had very little meat at all.  I did get a can of beef with juice that Pearl told me she got last month and it was very good.  I also got an onion, a potato and some baby carrots.  I will put them and the beef all together and come up with something like stew.  I came up to the scales with only 21 pounds of stuff.  I am allowed 60#.  Although I never get that much.

I went up the road a bit to the gas station and filled up my car--only $20.00.  It used to cost $40.00, so I am liking the low(er) gas prices.

Then, I was going on up the road to Wal-Mart, but...I just didn't have it in me.  My stomach has been iffy for the last two days.  My neck, shoulder and arm are paining me life crazy and my back hurts.  So, I just came home, put stuff away and sat down in my chair with my hot Rice Sock over my shoulder.

I have been sleeping so well.  The doc recommended 5 mg Melatonin, a natural hormone that our bodies lose as we age.  I take it at bedtime and it really works great.  However, I have been waking up with the bad neck and shoulder ache.  Time to try a different pillow, I guess.

Dar came over this morning--at 9:30!!!  She liked my doctor!!!  She hasn't gone to a male doctor for years because she doesn't trust men and she doesn't like to be touched, by anyone, but especially men.  She is still concerned with the cyst or whatever it is in her groin.  He didn't think it was serious enough to do surgery on it and cautioned her that surgery might make things worse.  It is probably caused by adhesion's that she has from previous surgeries.  So, he is going to contact the surgeon she had gone to, and research a bit before he decides if it might just be better to go in and aspirate it.

He did get her scheduled for her colonoscopy and blood work.  She didn't quite take him into her confidence yet about her mental issues--she said, "I have to trust him more."  I wondered how it was beneficial to go to a doctor if you DIDN'T tell him everything, but then...that's Dar.

Today, Ginger was very happy with the peanuts I put out for her and Smokey and Baby Boo.  I did see them, but only got a photo of Ginger.

More Records Broken

Day 7 of Lenten Gratitude.

I am grateful that the tank of gas 

I put in my car on December 29, 2014

has lasted almost two months.

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It is becoming an old story--even for this woman who likes winter.  It's like a record, playing the same thing over and over.  "A record low temperature in Michigan again today.  Wind gusts of 35 miles per hour expected."

I was pondering last night, "what if the weather kept on like this until April?  What would we all do?" 

The only reason we can stand this kind of weather is because we BELIEVE that spring will come again--that tulips and daffodils will again bloom in our gardens--that a warm zephyr will once again caress our cheek.  

Will we complain in July when record high temperatures hit?  Of course we will!!!

At least with my Ott floor lamp over my head many hours a day, I no longer suffer from S.A.D.  February used to be a killer for me.  I was deeply depressed most of the month.  Not any more.
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So tomorrow I have to go to the Food Bank and then up to the gas station.  No one is here to offer to stand out in the bone chilling winds to fill my car up with gas.  It is not good to have barely any gas in your car in these low temperatures.  If there is the least bit of moisture in the gas lines, it WILL freeze.  Then I have to go to Wal-Mart and use my $16.00 worth of food assistance to get stuff to go with what I get at the Food bank to make meals.  I am down to $53.13 in my checking account.  Gas will cost me nearly $40.00.

Can March 3rd, Social Security day be coming any time soon?  YES IT CAN!! Thank You, God!!

I am inside today crocheting slippers.  :-)  "I'll think about tomorrow, tomorrow!" 

Slow and Quiet

Day 6 of my Lenten Gratitude

I am grateful for heat, electricity and bright sunshine

Slow and quiet--What else can be expected of a day when the awaking temperature was MINUS 17 and the high temperature is Plus 10--above zero?  To look outside, it looks like a nice warm day--the sunshine is so bright and warm coming in the windows.

I did some laundry, bedspread, sheets and jammies.  Cleaned up a bit--I still haven't figured out how one person can make such a mess in this house.  She tends to leave dishes sitting in the sink when the dishwasher is only three feet away!

Worked on my slippers I am making for next Christmas.  The pattern isn't all that difficult, but the way it is written is.  I have made one pair of slippers THREE TIMES and I think I finally have it figured out.  Lordy!!  I have done more "frogging" (rip it, rip it) than I have crocheting.

I spent some time praying, specifically for people I know or people of people I know.  Pearl had her BENIGN vaginal polyp removed today at noon.

I thought Dar had the day off, but her car has been gone all day, so far.  She was supposed to call me last Thursday, after she went to (my) the doctor for the first time, but she hasn't called.  She probably hated him because he didn't pooh-pooh her.

A neighbor up in Byron wanted to know how to get a hold of Bethie.  He lives across the road from the house where she grew up.  Someone is remodeling the house and found a letter from 1939 and he wanted to let Bethie know.  I sent her an e-mail to tell her, with his phone number.  I hope that letter is something exciting and she has inherited a million dollars stored away in an unknown bank account.

I put a lot of "stuff" out in the squirrel feeder yesterday--stale donuts, stale crackers, dried cranberries, corn and peanuts, and today, Smokey and Ginger stopped by a couple of time.  I looked out and there was Baby Boo (tiny red squirrel) on the porch floor eating whatever they threw out of the feeder.  Lots of birds lately, but no Gold Finches.  I haven't seen any in months.

I did not watch the Oscar's last night--haven't in a couple of years.  It has all become so political.  Why the award recipient can't just get up on stage, thank their parents, their agent, director and perhaps God and then say Thank You and leave, is beyond me.  Now, they have to give a dissertation about their agenda and causes.  Who gives a rat's patootie! 

Most of the actors I still recognize have aged to the point where they look almost scary--thinking of John Travolta or the women are either bone skinny, dressed in see-through gowns or are so fat and stuffed into their gowns they look ridiculous.  I swear to you, I saw a photo of Oprah and her push-up bra had her boobs flowing way up just short of her chin.  Attractive!  NOT!

However, last night Downton Abbey was marvelous.  Ladies dressed and acting like--ladies!  Shocking!  I can't believe this year's season ends next Sunday.  Why don't they have it showing for 3 months?  Now we have to wait until next January for the 6th season.  I love this show, 

because.....

I called to make an appointment to go to the Food Bank, Wednesday morning.

I expect tomorrow will be much the same as today.  There is something comforting in that fact.