We all have much to be thankful for.......

I just spent the most delightful evening with my 80 year old friends Bob and Ann. I was ask to join them to help in a turkey raffle. They provide the tickets. I spent about an hour playing the ticket to try to win turkeys for the Valley Food Pantry. The raffle goes on for two different nights. Proceeds, other than the turkeys got to the Wyoming fire department, which is also a good cause. The first night we were able to win 10 turkeys and 6 more were donated during the raffle. Tonight we were not as lucky. As a mater of fact we played about 150 tickets and didn't win even one. If it had not been for the 7 that were donated by people who were playing or had already won, it would have been a bust for the evening.

I guess the reason for sharing this is to say that even at 80 Ann and Bob are still out there trying to make the world a better place by donating monies (I think the money came for Ann's circle donation) to a raffle to get turkeys for people who may not be able to afford a turkey for thanksgiving. The circle could have bought turkeys, but this way they can donate twice as many and help a good cause too.

I have to say, I love helping out with the raffle and the thought of improving the quality of living for another person but I often need to be invited to know they are going on.

Don't get me wrong, my job is spent working with mentally challenged adults offering some hope in the enhancement of their quality of lives by the contribution made on my part but this is different. This is reaching out into the community. If we could all spent just two hours a week giving back to our community / world, wouldn't this world be a different place. Most of the time we are all so busy and caught up in what is going on around us that we don't often take the time to reach out unless that is the kind of job you do on a daily basis.

On a different note: I spent time with my daughter, granddaughter and grandson today at a near by craft sale. Wow! Lots of stuff to spend your money on.Much of which you don't need. I did come away with some good ideas, which is the reason for going most of the time. I had a really nice time at lunch with "the family". The menu was sparse but adequate. It was a real kid pleaser (hot dogs). It wasn't what I ate, it was soaking in the quality time with the family that I love. My granddaughter came away a bit disappointed that her last purchase was not successful. That's what happens when you don't take enough money with you.

Work continues to provide me with all the thorns I can handle in a week. I continue to tell myself that I am making a difference but even I question that when I come away after my boss has done a number on me. She seems to find great pleasure in belittling me, second guessing everything I do. Even when there is nothing to complain about, she looks for things. After the third attack on Friday I was totally spent but continued to hold my tongue (which in it's self was some great self control on my part). My co-worker turned to me and said, "you need a hug" loud enough for all to hear. I didn't even see it coming. This same co-work turned so everyone could hear and said, I don't know what you all are doing, but I'm not making any decisions, (hence the attacks on me by my boss). My boss basically left the room. I have to say, I was a bit surprised. My co-worker was not very tackful but neither is my boss most of the time. Interesting to see the tables turned for a change. I think my boss doesn't realize how she comes across sometimes but I think if we all could see how we came across to other people, I think we would change our tune and maybe even hold our tongue more often. I say a prayer every night for my boss and for my attitude toward her. Things had improved for a while, but we are who we are. I will continue to pray for peace and for a good attitude and pray for her to find the happiness and contentment she needs so she won't need to attack anyone to feel the control she seems to need.

I wrenched my back the other day and have not been spending very much time working on that cute little christmas sweater for my granddaughter. (I haven't even started my grandson's yet) I called off work on Monday because I was hurting pretty bad. In the back of my mind I had hoped to get some crocheting done on that sweater but that didn't happen. I wasted the morning laying around. Then I had lunch with my daughter. I liked that. I love any time spent with her and the kids, hurting or not.I know her time is so precocious with all that she has on her plate. My daughter is such a lovely person. Thank you God!

My friend Carolyn came over for a while last night. I haven't seen much of her lately. I worry about her sometimes. She has asma really bad and high blood pressure. She doesn't always take her medicine in a timely manner. She is a really sweet and thoughtful person. We've been good friends for about twenty two years. I think everyone deserves at least one friend they can let their hair down with. We have a lot in common. We think alike. We can talk about just about anything but mostly we vent about work. She often has a lot of woes. With this new J-O-B, so do I.

I was invited up to my brother's new apartment the other night for dinner. Yes, he cooked. He likes cooking and is pretty good at it. My sister and brother in law also came. The apartment is really coming together. The company was great. Thanks Bro. I said a prayer for success on that new job you are seeking. It's hard to be patient when you want and need something. It will come.

And in case I don't get back to my blog I would like to close by saying, I hope all have a great and thankful Thanksgiving holiday and don't forget to stop and take a moment to reflect on all that you are thankful for. God has richly blessed us but we often get too caught up in the fast pace of life that we forget to take the time to be thankful.

I am so thankful and so blessed. Thank you God!

Sleeping Beauty and Charlie

Well I brought home my new friend, my brother's cat. "Charlie". Charlie spent the evening in the basement. I wanted to introduce him slowly as I was told he would be very shy and want to hide out for the first day or so. What a nice cat. I brought him upstairs last night when I got home from work. He did really well all evening, sticking very close. Marking his territory. When I went to sleep Charlie was sleeping next to me on the bed. He woke me six times during the night, walking on me and rubbing my face. I finally got up at 5:30 and put him in the basement. I'll try again tonight. I think he was just lonely or missing his poppa. He's such a nice boy.

I had a really busy day at work today, but that's not new. Everyday is busy. What was different was that there were State inspectors - checking the books, Marketing people in taking pictures of the consumers for the December news letter and promotions, several case managers in to visit consumers and a tour for a new interested consumer, all happening within a two hour window. And there is still the one girl on vacation. And this is all while the specialist and techs are trying to run programs for the consumers. If it got any crazier there it would be hard to tell which ones of us are the consumers and which ones were the staff. When the day ends, your brain is so full,it's not hard to leave work, and leave it all there.

I got a call at the end of the day. Can I pick up Sleeping Beauty from knitting club. And if I want I can hang out for a while. You betcha! I won't pass up an opportunity to spend some quality time with the granddaughter. We had dinner at home, she met Charlie,(he was a big hit with her as I knew he would be) and we sat around watching a move (here favorite thing for us to do together) and knitted, (or at least repairing knitting and showing how to add a color). She is getting pretty good at that. I think I was 10 when I learned. We used to knit on pencils because there were not enough needles to go around.

Took her home and visited with my daughter and grandson for a bit. I am so luck to have such a nice family. We talked about that C word again. Lots to do and very little time to get it done. Yea, that C word is Christmas. Wow, it sure is coming on fast this year. Is it because the older we get the faster time passes.

The sweater I am making is coming along well. Not moving as fast as I would like for it to but I couldn't work on it with her here. Other projects are still in the planning stages.

I had a really nice chat with an old SA co-worker buddy. She continues to struggle with the same things we was having trouble with. They continue to tell her that they may still close their center down. They are giving it six months. The staff are showing signs of not caring what happens. Again not unusual. I told her I was surprised she has lasted this long. She is a really good, caring person. I hate to see her go through that stuff. She won't have a problem finding a job if they close.

Charlie is dong well. Nice to have a cat in the house again. Now when I talk to my self I can justify it by talking to the cat. He is a lot of company and yet he goes about his business or lays at my feet.

God Bless and Good Night.

Christmas is coming

Christmas is right around the corner. It seems like we'll be skiing down hill from here. I spent a long time looking for patterns for a homemade Christmas for my family. I couldn't find a sweater pattern. My granddaughter wanted a sweater with a cable stitch down the front. I wanted crochet. All I found was knitting. Any good sites for hand made kids sweaters in crochet?

I found the cutest snowman sweater. We have a thing about snowmen. Not to mention I have been collecting them for about 6 years. The only problem was, the snowman sweater pattern only came in a size 6. She's a 10-12. I played with the pattern for a while and managed to get the proper gage. I am more than half way finished with the front. It looks really good. When I get it finished I will post a pattern and maybe a picture on my blog.

I found a great afghan pattern for my daughter, maybe? I like making things for her because she always appreciated the work that goes into making homemade gifts. She has made a few things herself. I like her hand made cards and her Pampered Chef cooking creations.(And she says she can't cook).

I'm still on the lookout for a really neat boys sweater pattern, toddler size 4. I found a couple but they seem kinda girly and I don't thing his dad would appreciate that, let alone let him wear it. Anyone out there with any ideas, I'm open for suggestions, as time is closing in.

Can you believe it? In less than a month we will be decorating for the holidays. Oh my goodness! Makes me tired just thinking about it.

For the pass several years I have been having an ornament exchange party. This year will be no different. And even though money is tight, I still think it will be lots of fun. I love getting together during the holidays. Especially with family and friends.

The hardest thing about Christmas is my best friend died right before Christmas last year. It's hard to believe on December ninth she will be gone a whole year. She was quite a lady. I liked her spunk. She's probably up there giving God direction on how to do it now. May she rest in peace.

Got a call from my nephew this evening. He is in the Marines. He sounded so sad tonight. He said he would almost rather be just about anywhere than where he was. He's in a dessert in California, training to go over seas in January or February. His girlfriend will have their child while he is away and I think it is all hitting him. Guess he has a lot of time to think about things. Glad he took the time to call his Aunt Dee.

I would love to sit her and blog all night but it's late and morning comes too soon. Being short at work all week, I will need all the energy I can muster.

Good Bless and Good Night.

Moving day for the brother / uncle

It's been a while since I have bolgged. Life has been really busy. I spent some good quality time with the grands this weekend. I just love it when they come over. That little dragon is a real cutie. Sleeping beauty is cute too, just different. And quite the little helper.

The grands and I spent times making crafts together. A new activity for the little guy. We made bead fire trucks and trackers. I was surprise that Sleeping beauty enjoyed making trucks.

Today was a long day. At work one of the girls is on a well deserved vacation. Boy she was missed. The others came together to pitch in but she was still missed. My boss is no help at all. She will walk right by something that needs done and come get you to go back and do it. She isn't a very good boss. She is a little full of herself.

I went from there to get my new friend, (my brother's cat who will now be my cat). My brother got a new apartment and the landlord says, "no cats". He's a cute little guy. I call him Charlie but my brother called him Chairman Mah (I think that's the way he spells it). He is a orange and white tabby. I was told he would want to hide and take several days to warm up. I was happy that that didn't happen. Charlie warmed up right away. Rubbing against my leg. No purring yet but that will come. He's so cute.

Well I think it is official. My brother now has his own apartment. Congratulations Bro! I tried to help him as much as I could. Moving is a lot of work and a pain in the back! I recruited my brother-in-law and daughter to help with some of the heavy stuff. Even sleeping beauty pitched in to help. I think he has everything in, now for the organizing. Yuck! I like things neat and in their places, I just hate finding new places for things. I left him with a promise I would come again next weekend to assist in the organizing. Hopefully he will have things in place by then.