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!