A Day of Reflection....

Well, today was a full day, and I am exhausted. I just don't bustle around like I used to!

I don't know about you, but I hate waking up and knowing that I have to go somewhere...(okay, shopping and coffees excepted)...and today was one of those days. And it didn't help that the reason we were going out was a funeral.

Max's boss died last week...he was 74. He had fought a valiant fight against Prostate Cancer, 18 years worth of fighting. We were there at the beginning, when they found it, and then when they did the surgery, and as he battled on.

Now, I cry at TV commercials...so you can imagine my thoughts about this funeral. But, I got out of the house without any Kleenex, and I was bound and determined that I would NOT CRY! Bud was a strong person, and very seldom did one hear him complain about his lot in life. You have to respect that.

We were given a blue strip of paper that had information on Prostate Cancer, and a ribbon that represented Prostate Cancer Awareness was attached. We were asked to wear the ribbon in memory of Bud. The service was wonderful. He was well-known in town, and it was held at the Events Center. He wrote his own Eulogy, and promised us that we would laugh and we would have a good time. And laugh we did...he had a long and full life, and well, it was funny! He chose his music, and one of his daughters and his best friend read the eulogy and told stories. Another daughter had put together a slide show with music. The service lasted 2 hours. 2 hours. It seemed so long at the time, but when you stop to think of it......it was a 74 year life...all condensed to 2 hours. He mentioned Gene and Max, and then Craig...the three drivers that he had....he thought enough of them to mention them by name. Gene and Max were each there for 10 years apiece..Craig was there for several years, and when he found a job in Eugene, a much better paying job and one with better benefits, Bud had no trouble recommending him, though it meant that he and Bob (his son), had to find another driver. And find one soon. Maybe he grumbled about it at home, but not in public.

The minister, at the end, read a chapter in Psalms, and then he said: "I know exactly what Bud is thinking right now. Exactly what he is thinking....he would want you all to open your hearts to Jesus. He would want to know that you would be joining him in Heaven". Then he went on to say, that late this summer, he had gone to Bud's house to visit and Bud had accepted the Lord. I cried. I cried for several reasons....one, thankfulness....Bud was in Heaven. And then in sadness....that it was so late in his life that he did find the Lord. But, he had found The Lord, and that was what counted.

The final tears were brought on by his daughter...who came back up to the microphone and said...."we were so fortunate that we got to be with Dad and talk to him...we got to tell him we loved him right before he died. Not everyone has that chance. When you go home today, hug you loved ones, and tell them that you love them....do not let them go to bed without telling them...because you never know....."

She's right...you just never know.......

6 Things you don't know about me!

Yikes! Well hmmm !! I thought this would be easy but now I am starting to wonder. LOL!
1. I have a house full of stuff.
2. I love to daydream about my English stone cottage that I want someday.
3. My favorite book is Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.
4. I don't enjoy housework
5. I have a deep desire to live like a hippie.
6. I love to sit on a mountain top, quite my thoughts, listen to the sounds of nature and be awe of God's creation.

OHHHH Brenda..............

Well, TAG, YOU'RE IT!!!! Come on, give everyone 6 things we don't know about you!!!!!

Happy Monday!

Well, here we are...another day...and I spent yet another dollar.....LOL!

I forgot last night that today was Monday! I had all these wonderful plans for today, and didn't realize until I had my third or so cup of coffee this morning, that I had to go to town. Now....I have to admit, reading that last sentence really sounds like I had to really GO to town! But, in all honesty, I live in town.....it didn't used to be town, but by golly, now, we are almost just in the middle of town. And I hate to go to town. I love staying home, all locked up nice and warm! But, I dragged my body into the bedroom, into some "go to town clothes", (just didn't think the sweat pants and baggy t-shirt would do.....of course, we live at the beach, technically.....and we have lived here a long time now...so maybe I could have gotten away with it...I mean, I didn't run into anyone that I knew...), but I spiffed up about as much as I could......dare I admit, that I forgot to brush my hair? Anyhooo...off to town I went to buy milk, eggs, and OJ and bananas. Now, with coupons? That should have set me back about $10.50.....so how on earth did I get out of there with FOUR bags, and a ticket that said $36.00? I mean, really......HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?

As I drove home, I rehashed the trip to the checkstand in my head.....I did get:

1. eggs, 2-18 packs for $3.49
2. Milk, 3 (1/2 gallons) for $3.00
3. OJ, 2 (1/2 gallons) for $2.00
4. Bananas - $2.04
For a grand total of (ta dahhhhh), $10.53
(Coupons Rock!)

SO, how on earth did I manage to do $36.00 worth of damage? I was horrified....pulled over and looked at the receipt.....(just outside of Taco Bell, so I pulled through and got a Pepsi....large or small they ask? Well, duh...I am looking at a RECEIPT from a store that obviously messed me up...make it a LARGE.....)

As I perused the receipt, making slurpy noises with the straw to the absolute frantic excitement of the seagull that had settled down in the flower bed next to me...(why oh why didn't I get some fries?)...it came to me...I didn't go through the checker line...I DID IT MYSELF! So, obviously...it was the computer at the Self Check line that messed me up.....you know what they say about computers...oh, yeah..... they are only as smart as the one running them.........

This is what I saw:
Eggs, Milk, OJ, bananas......okay so far so good.......

Ice Cream.....WHAT? Oh, right...coupon, 5-1/2 gallons for $5.00....still, that doesn't add up to the grand total......and everyone knows that if you don't have lots of ice cream in the freezer, you do not have a well-stocked pantry...and heaven forbid that I fail at that.....

The New Country Sampler, which was a very hard decision....I had done a new subscription, but I didn't have it yet, were they going to send THIS issue to me? Or would it be the next one? And, if I waited and didn't get this one? Would I be able to sleep....but what if I bought it and then they sent it? Hmmmm? Well, I certainly didn't need two.....besides we are in a Recession..(I heard this from a very reliable source), and I should be careful with my money. Investments...that's what I need to do. Well, after thinking this through, (and putting the magazine back on the rack, off the rack, on the rack....muttering to myself.....) I realized that the magazine was an investment.....(towards Maxs' sanity), and if they sent me another one? I would donate it to someone who didn't have one.....So, that added $5.99 to the total...but still....

OH! The last book of the newest Nora Roberts Trilogy...but really, I couldn't count that, as I have been waiting forever for it......and I did get it for 25% off...so that was a steal......and now I would know FOR SURE, that the third guy got the third girl....(okay, I know that this is ALWAYS how it goes, at least for Nora...but what if this is the one book that she changes the formula? Could I look another person in the eye, knowing that I wimped out on the third book? I think not...)

Next out of the bags, a Large sized PayDay candy bar....(Max's request), that was a stunning $1.29 (no coupon), a Hershey Bar with Almonds $1.00 (no coupon), my request I believe....but honestly, by then, it was all a blur......OMG, the ice cream is melting.............

A Busy Sunday!

Well, today is not a day that I will have to wonder what I did.....(which happens much more often than it should around here!). I worked on table runners all day today. If I get it all together early tomorrow, I might get them finished! And, before I pat myself on the back too much...I have to admit, these are Christmas presents and should have been finished, okay started a month ago! I don't know why I do it, but I seem to always be behind! Anyway, if I do get them finished tomorrow, I will post a photo...I am pretty pleased with them so far.....especially since I cut one wrong and as my cousin would say "I had to punt"! Poor Max has spent the day saying "you are your own worst critic" and "what have I always told you"? (see the first comment). And yes, I probably am my worst critic, but, it is what I do, and I do it well!!

Since I was so full of myself, and I felt guilty at ignoring the others, I cooked Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy and Greenbean Casserole for dinner. After all, it is Sunday. The faces were priceless. I probably should be a bit cranky about it, one would think that I never cooked a full dinner! Oh, they would be right now that I think of it....Friday? We ate out all day! Except for dinner, that was pizza, and I actually had to GO TO THE STORE and get it, then I had to COOK IT IN MY OVEN! Now that I think of it, that counts as a full, homecooked meal, don't you think? LOL!

Brenda called this afternoon, and she and Jeff stopped by before they left for Alaska. She picked up some of the goodies that we bought on one of our shopping trips. It has been so nice to have her in the same state! We actually got to spend almost two days together, and we had a blast! Now, she is home, and they won't be back until September. But, there is the telephone!

Well, I guess I better get busy and add one more side to one of the table runners, and then I am crawling into my jammies....I would love to get a book out, but if I do? No one would get ANY presents under their tree, (unless, of course, they left their tree up another month....hmmm....that might not be a bad idea...)

So, I will say goodnight, and hope that you all had a wonderful weekend, and have a great week!

Sue has a NEW contest!!!!! Check it out!!

Well, guess what? Sue at Oodlekadoodle has done it again! She has a new contest, and it is a great one! It involves, memories, gifts, memories....did I say gifts?!!

To enter, you just need to pop over (she is listed as "blog I am following", or in the Favorite Blog list....and you need to post a Favorite Christmas Memory in her comment box...and well, she has all the rules listed on the posting...you can end up with 8 entries....and the goodies....so many great ones!!

So head on over and check it out!!

PIF--What a Wonderful Idea!

Well, I was surfing around tonight and discovered a new blog.....Cottage Days and Journeys. It's a wonderful blog...and what a fun and wonderful idea she had on it! It was so good, I decided that we needed to play too!!

It is something called "Pay It Forward", and this is how it works...

I added the PIF symbol to this blog and linked back to Cottage Days and Journeys blog. Then, the first 3 visitors of my blog to leave a comment saying that they would like to be involved will receive a handcrafted gift from me within 365 days of joining. Isn't that the greatest idea? These times are so hard for so many, and very discouraging...what a great way to spread some happiness! So, how about it? Want to play along and spread some kindness in the next year? The first 3 to leave a comment and say that they want to participate will get a handcrafted goodie from me sometime in the next year! You also need to follow-up with an e-mail to me at jcolleen(at) starlightprims.com to confirm your spot. To participate, you must have your own blog, follow these steps, (linking back to me, instead of Cottage Days and Journeys), and do the same for your first 3 visitors.

Let's spread some happiness!!