Vanity may not be your best option.......

Something that has always puzzled me. It doesn't matter what walk of life you come from ...... What nationality ....... What race ......... Or even size, age, shy, or not........ It never ceases to amaze me how vain we are.

I sat for a long time today watching one of the seniors at work, struggle with how well she wrote her name. She sat talking with a social worker and myself, during a care conference, and was ask to sign her name when we were finished. This lady hesitated to sign, proclaiming her handwriting wasn't what it used to be. Wanting to preserve her dignity, we offered a piece of paper, at her request, to practice, of which she wrote her name several times, very slowly and carefully, before agreeing to sign the paper we offered her.

It's no different than watching yourself walk down the street and seeing your reflection in the store front glass, thinking to yourself that couldn't be you. You don't remember your profile being that out of shape. Or you hair style looking that as it does. Or your clothes looking that un-kept.....or the graying in your hair.....Or.....Or......Or............

When I first started working with seniors, one of them told me she didn't look like herself. What she said that day stayed with me a long time. I must say, I didn't quite understand what she was talking about at that time. As I age, I understand what she was talking about to well.

I was in the ladies room today washing my hands for lunch and looked up into the mirror to see someone I recognize, but it sure didn't look like what I thought I would look like when I got to be this age. What I felt on the inside didn't quite match what I was seeing on the outside. And no, I didn't just realize this. It sure helps me to be a lot more compassionate with our aging residents.

Isn't is wonderful that we are all unique and different. And no matter how much we age, our individuality and kindness can speak for themselves. The old saying that our grandparents used to tell us true after all. A nice young lady will be a nice old lady. And a beautiful young lady will be a beautiful old lady. Isn't it great that as we age, mellow, mature, what ever you want to call it, we are able to develop relationships with people for more than face value. Maybe watching our own bodies change, we hope others will look at us with a more forgiving lens and give us the opportunity to show them what we are made of too.

I've worked with seniors for a very long time and have learned there are a lot of wonderful souls out there, who have taught me what kind of person I want to be when I grow up. A little love, compassion and time go a long way no matter how old you are. What's that old saying, As we age we don't loose our beauty, it simply moves from our faces to our hearts. That senior I was working with today sure showed her beauty, and she didn't even know she was doing it.

Don't be too proud, to vain to show you true colors. And don't be too hard on yourself. God made us all is his glory. We are what and who he intended us to be. Living in his grace will be more that enough. Do all that you can and God will do the rest.

God Bless. Good Night.

After the storm.......

The incredible wind storm last Sunday. At first is was an inconvenience compared to what we where hearing about those poor people in Texas. Louisiana and even Florida. Then we lost power. Not just a few people but the whole city. Lots of trees down, no traffic lights, stores closed, gas stations closed due to no gas and / or power.

Usually you would hear a lot of whining and complaining. Not a whimper! Everyone knew, however bad it seemed for us, it was MUCH worse for the people south of us.

We worried about the trees in the backyard coming down with the strong winds, while in our warm, comfortable home, watching TV or using the computer.

They worried about leaving their homes and not knowing where they would go and when they would get to come back.

We worry about loosing power and how long it would be off
They worried about loosing their homes and if they be livable when they returned
We were without power at work, I work in a nursing facility, for 4 days. Four twenty four hour days. We have 105 residents who live there and 149 staff member who work there. I spent the last 4 days watching people do what we should be doing everyday, working together, not complaining, doing what it takes to get the job done. All the while, my boss, the owner of the company, stayed all night and was right there in the middle of things,

We all know God does things for a reason. And while I have a hard time understanding the tragic things happening to those people in Texas and the whys. God doesn't always expect us to understand. God in his mercy handles things in his own way. Maybe it's God's way to make us all come together and help each other.

I think God brought Ike's ugly head our direction to help us see just how luck and blessed we are, power or no power. Money is tight for everyone these days due to the high cost of econ any, gas and food but prayer doesn't cost anything. Reaching out to your family, friends and neighbors, again free.

Do what you can for the people, here in your own city or in cities that continue to recover. god will bless you for your efforts. Maybe you don't have much. Maybe it doesn't take much. A smile. A meal. A helping hand. Do something for someone else. You won't believe how good it will make you feel.

God Bless.

Fun Facts about each other.......

So, I've been tagged by Gigi, at In The Throne Room. This is a little lighthearted game to learn some tidbits about your fellow bloggers.

The Rules:

1) Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
2) People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3) At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4) Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged and to read your blog.So, I'm now sharing 8 random things about myself and then the FUN part (for me anyway!)...I get to tag 8 of YOU to continue this madness! Ready? Here we go!

1.) I have a beautiful daughter and two really awesome grandchildren.
2.) I hate to cook, and I'm not a very good cook.
3.) I'm a loner, but I love being with people too.
4.) I always stay up too late because I don't require a lot of sleep.
5.) I'm more shy than most people think.
6.) I love to crochet and can make almost anything.
7.) I have a cat name Charlie. ( I never thought I would like having a cat but I do)
8.) My favorite foods are: Fish, homemade Mac & Cheese and Broccoli.

Okay, who to tag with this Meme........hmmmmmm.

1. Andrea at Decipher the Fog
2. Flight Song
3. A Pink Carnation in Bloom
4. A Flyover Blog
5. Carolanne Outside The Box
6. It's a Mom's World
7. Why Tame My Mind?
8. Vera's Crafty Blog

You've been tagged. Don't forget to read and follow the rules at the top of this blog. Have fun.

God Bless America.

Come Home Safe Josh.

Only one month to go.

We Love you!

I was going through some of the many books I have and came across a most interesting one; "Courage for the Chicken Hearted". It's a book of humorous and inspiring stories for confident living. Guide Post published it but it is written by Becky Freeman and a host of other writers.

My friend Grova, who died several years ago, gave it to me. This book is so like her, full of knowledge, stories, scriptures, poems and even recipes. I think they have only published one book but I sure wish they would publish another one. It's cute, uplifting and gives you food for thought. I want to say the Chicken Nuggets at the end of each chapter is my favorite part but I like it all.

I found this great poem, (the only poem in the whole book that doesn't take a chicken's prospective.) I like it because it highlights the Simple things in life. I think we all take life way too seriously, too often.

Hope this poem lightens you day. It did wonders for mine.

Simple Things

Teddy bears and rocking chairs

are some of my favorite things.

Cookie jars and shooting stars,

and robin in the spring,

Fields of flowers and April showers,

velvet grass beneath bare feet;

Gentle ran on windowpanes.]

and ice cream sundae treats.

Country folks and silly jokes,

lazy summer afternoons,

Porch swings and songs to sing

and roses in full bloom.

Autumn leaves, a crisp cool breeze,

a golden harvest moon;

Afire place, a cozy fire,

a guitar with a simple tune,

Candlelight and winter nights,

long letters from a friend.

Cinnamon smells and fairy tales,

old quilts to snuggle in.

Fireflies and apple pies,

the laughter of a child.

Believing all things are possible,

and that even angels smile.

Simple things are favorite things-

gifts from God above-

Priceless treasures money can't buy-

acquired through hearts of love.

God Bless.

You Are Who You Hang With........

I just visited a new friend's blog. Gigi at The Throne Room. She wrote about the poem Reason, Season or a Life time. I love that poem. It's one of those poems you can read between the lines. And it stays with you more than the few minutes it takes you to read it. It makes you think about the people who inspire us....help us feel good about ourselves.....or who we can help or learn form. You find yourself going back and thinking about people who have come and gone in our lives.

I was always told, we are who we hang with. If you hang with people who are not wise, you will not be wise. If you hang with people who challenge you, you will grow wise.

I believe the wisest of all is God and anyone who follows his teaching can never go wrong. I believe he brings people into our paths to teach us and help us grow in ways that are beyond our own understanding sometimes. My friend Grova ( who passed away in her sleep two years ago) was a Hugh example of that. Where she was strong, I was weak. And where I was strong, she was week. God in his wisdom always has a plan.

Growing up with a challenging background, I was always told I didn't have worth or knowledge. I grew up believing everyone was wise and I was dumb. I'm old enough now to realize we are all wise and worthy in our own ways. We can all teach much to many, while at the same time learn plenty with an open mind.


I have worked with seniors for many, many years and I can tell you they are itching to enlighten you with their knowledge. And they have plenty! This one lady, who was 104, started her lesson of wisdom with, "I'm at the end of my path here on earth and if I don't share what I know, how can I pass on the old traditions and experiences. Thus began my many years of listening and learning.

If you go in with an open mind, they can teach you plenty, even when your not looking. I can tell you the dept of wisdom these people have, is deeper than any ocean. That 104 year old lady, Bertha, could quote EVERY bible verse, word for word. She never went to bed without reading a chapter or two, (even though she could quote it), and when she got too old to see the word, she would have someone read it to her. Often that person would be me.


Quote for the day: Befriend yourself with people you can help and teach while allowing yourself to learn and grow at the same time. (I wrote this quote)

God Bless and Good Night.

Labor day and the Hurricane

Happy Labor day. Hope you have the pleasure of being off today.

And for those of you who had to work today, thank you. For caring for our seniors in nursing homes and our children so their parents could work. For making it possible for me to visit my local grocery store and for manning the phones so I could talk to my friends on the phone. And for being there at the gas stations and restaurants, so that we might have that quality family time, sometimes missing these days because we are all so busy.

I just heard on the television that Olive Garden delivered free food to several of out local police departments. I think that awesome! However, I wish they would have sent that money to the people who had to evacuate from their homes for food but the gesture was a good one.

As for my labor day, I had plenty planned and accomplished little. I guess that was God's way of telling me to be kind to myself. However, my bedroom still isn't painted. The bushes outside still look like they could use some TLC. and the vaccum is still in the closet and hasn't shown it face, as of yet (That still might happen).

I did manage to bathe the cat. Old Charlie didn't know what hit him. I just know he wished I would have allowed that chore to go undone. He even got has nail clipped and a good brushing. He looks good and even smells good, and I haven't seen much of him all weekend!

We (my daughter and I) went to Indianapolis yesterday to see my great nephew, who was born two weeks ago. He's really cute. Looks like his mommy. We went after the initial rush when everyone else was leaving and returning from the holiday weekend. We went on Saturday and returned on the same day. It's a little over 2 hours one way and we spent about 3 hours there. It was a beautiful day for a ride. I not only enjoyed the visit with my niece and great nephew, I enjoyed the quality time in the car with my daughter. With life so busy, getting away alone together is a rare blessing for us.

Today, I haven't done much. Poked around in the computer, did a couple loads of laundry, Hit the grocery for stuff for lunches this week. It's nice having the day off and not having to worry about anything. I had hoped to come together for a picnic with the family but I guess I can count my blessing. I had a nice day yesterday.

Before I close, I want to take a few minutes to ask everyone to pray for those poor people in the south having to, yet again, go through a hurricane. AGAIN! It's really hard on the adult but it's awful on the children. If I didn't have a new job, and had all the money I needed, I would be first in line to volunteer to help those people and more. Don't forget, the Red Cross is asking for help. We can all do something. I plan to call Matthew 25 tomorrow and see what I can do.

Lord,

Watch over those people who again have to move from their homes for safety. Help them to know you are traveling with them. Help them to find the things they need while avoiding the dangers of the weather. Help the people who can help, come forward and help. Watch over the service men and women and the police men and women who work so hard to protect the people and their unattended homes and things left behind that they treasure. Help them find the kindness and love in all the christian people we know are out there. Keep them in your care. Help the damage not be too great when they return home. Bless them Lord. Amen

God Bless.