wages

I won't mention names, as to protect the innocent or frustrated.

Here is the scenario: A person is interviewing another person for a job opening. before the interview begins, the applicant says, "I am making $17.50 an hour unemployment, so if you can't start me out at that level, I won't waste your time."

Does anyone out there think the system might be broken? Here in Washington state our minimum wage was just increased to $8.55. I have a suggestion, no matter how long you have worked or how much you made, maybe unemployment should be more in line with minimum wage? Or maybe you should only be able to take out of unemployment what you have already paid in? It was put into place to just "tied you over" until you found another job. Not support you while you choose what system pays you more.

I don't know how to fix this broken system. Maybe it is time to brainstorm and throw around some ideas?

Your children are growing up when...

I was thinking in the shower this morning, gee I should write on my blog today. What to write about??? Then life presented me with a topic.

Mr. Right received a text message at 4 am this morning. He did not see it until around 5:30 am when he got up, showered and made coffee and started reading messages.

It was a message from our oldest son. He was texting from the hospital. He has two kidney stones. Yes, he has insurance. He was just keeping us in the loop so we didn't have a fit and fall in it when we read it on face book later. Yes, daughter in law drove him to the hospital. Yes, Sweet grandaughter was with them. (good thing she was already up and "chatting" when all this took place) :)

Just seems different/weird, (in a good way) to find out stupid, crazy, painful news. Now, we just go into checking in mode. I will bake some fresh rolls today. That will give my hands something to do, try out a new recipe I have been wanting to try and son number one will appreciate the thought.

Son number two is already texting and e-mailing kind words and gentle suggestions. Sadly, he is well versed in the Kidney stone genre.

Dang, both boys now. Good bye dark liquids, sodas, beer, coffee ... and here is a question, are the energy drink boys in bed with the kidney stone doctors? yuck.

...and here I was trying to come up with something to write about today!

I feel the chill in the air

Autumn must really be here.

Plans to sneak away to the ocean to watch a storm come ashore.

Freshly applied Amber Ablaze toe nail polish.

Homemade Apple turnovers.

Shopping for yarn or new fabric to make a scarf.

Plans to visit a pumpkin patch this weekend. I want the
perfect one!

I chose a hot latte today instead of an iced beverage.

Brainstorming ideas to use charity money as a food bank donation
for the colder months. Maybe gloves? Mittens? Still thinking.

After I put new sheets on the bed today, I am adding an extra quilt!

still thinking on this one

I am in no way a television guru. I just wanted to waste about 10 minutes before Mr. Right and I hit the hay. I was "channel surfing" as they (?) call it. I happened upon a local "over the top, vivacious, entertaining, puzzling etc." minister ranting or rather preaching is a better word, across the television screen.

I have seen his flowing red hair on a couple of past occasions as I clicked by the channel.

Always, Bible in hand, pointing and yelling and pointing some more.

This time, it was different. He wasn't holding a Bible. Nope.

He was holding an ipad.

Be still my Methodist heart, this could take some getting used to.

...about the author

When completing a really great FBI thriller book (Whiplash by Catherine Coulter) nestled all cozy in your flannel sheets with five or six pillows, you wish the book would go on and on. You look at the cover and flip it over, then you take a look at the dust jacket on the inside.... oh, about the author.....rats.........."the author lives in Northern California". Yes, I know they want you to get up and go to the computer or get your lap top and look up her site. Yes, you can read more about her there.

I don't know, I just like to know a little tid bit here or there. I want to read that "the author Kayaked under the Narrows Bridge on her Birthday". Or "the author took her first flying lesson and flew over the Narrows Bridge on her Birthday". Maybe something like "the author likes to wear high heels to church and hates rolling up the garden hose". I want to read where "the author did not speak a sound for 14 minutes in a row, when her and three girlfriends were stopped at the Poland
border and the guards took their passports away, and they silently waited and watched the clock in the mini van". It would be interesting to know that on the author's 40th birthday she threw away her hair dryer and curling iron and vowed to never use them again! How interesting it would be to hear that for one birthday she ate Brunch in the Chartwell Room at The Four Season's in Vancouver, with (shock of all shocks) no stockings on and flip flops....the author had broken a bone in her foot at the pool and no other shoes/sandals would fit. (as you may have guessed this action made the author's mother furious) however, the food was heavenly and said author enjoyed every bite. No they did not throw her out for not wearing stockings, ...(however Mr. Right did go and explain everything to the manager prior to us dining there.) I want to read that on one birthday the author took a lush huge bouquet of glorious red flowers to the owner of her favorite vegetarian resaturant in Seattle, "The Bamboo Garden".

I like the description of the author to surprise me. Yes, I know they want to be secretive and mystical and "behind the scenes". I guess I am just a bit too nosey.
I like the information about the author to be as intersting as the written words in the book. Sort of anticlimatic to read such a delightful book and then wow, find out she lives in Northern California. amazing.

I love the written word. I love Libraries. For heaven's sake, get a library card if you don't have one. Help a neighbor kid or grandson sign up for one. Books and stories are just lovely things to fall into.

$2.00 marriage secret

Hi out there in ciber land, yup I am talking to
Wonder Girl and G.I Joe.............marriage tip for the day....

Buy TWO tubes of toothpaste. Seriously, I mean it. From now on, for ever more,
until you do part, and on and on and on.

One of you will use the tube nicely. You know what I mean, Press neatly, flatten as you go, clean the top daily, place neatly in the drawer or basket when finished.

One of you will, pinch, mash, squeeze, deform, force, mutilate, twist and twist and then sort of get the top on with toothpaste oozing out the top and throw it in the basket when done.

You will each for now and ever more have your own tubes and you will NEVER once argue over which way is the "right" way.

I will let you guess as to which one I am! ha

dang it, I am sick.

I have been sick with the flu since
Tuesday. This is Saturday. I am just
starting to come around.
dang it.
I don't enjoy 99% of being sick.

However, Mr. Right brought home
"Jamba Coconut Pineapple Passion
Smashin Yogurt & Sorbet" Popsicles.

So 1% of being sick has been good.
Those treats are so good. Might even
be worth trying out when you are not sick.

Here's to good health!

It's official

It didn't happen the way I had envisioned.
I thought I would know in an instant when I officially
became "mature" or "old".

I honestly thought the feeling would come when
getting up from gardening my knees creek and I
rub the small of my back. Nope, just felt good
to accomplish the weeding.

Then I thought well for sure when we have a
grandbaby or our friends started having
grandbabies of their own. Nope, it just
feels good and happy and joyful.

I really thought the "old" feeling would come
when friends started having things replaced.
You know, hips, knees, teeth and on and on
that list goes. Nope, just happy for them that
they have a new fresh pain free outlook on
life.

The "mature" gene would surely hit when
once again I can't seem to figure out
my ipod or something to do with the
computer. Is it frustrating, you bet! I just
love to figure it out and then I feel so
"hip". Makes me feel like a smarty pants
when I figure out technology, not old.

Paying bills early, sending out birthday cards
early, remembering to pick up dry cleaning on time,
knowing the answer to etiquette questions,
making a dinner turn out all at the same time for
2-25 people, baking a great loaf of bread dying my
hair to hide the gray and on and
on the list goes.....I really thought it would hit
me that I am aging.

Then it happened...sort of like watching it in slow
motion.....Last night, I was sitting on the sofa, Mr. Right in
his chair and then it happened! The dog got up
and wagged her gigantic plume tail and knocked a huge
glass of iced sweet tea on the carpet. Neither of
us said anything. We just got a couple of towels and
wiped it up & started the washer. No drama, no hurrying,
no yelling, no excitement, nothing really. In a very uneventful,
very calm fashion we cleaned it up and went back to
watching the television.

Wow, in an instant, we realized, dang, we are
old and mature. In the olden days that would have
had us jumping and yelling and moving like
we were on fire.

"Slow your journey to include time for happiness".

yoga rant

Here is my rant for this morning:

Southern Baptist Seminary President Albert Mohler from Kentucky is of the opinion that
people that practice Yoga are not Christians.

Since I am not about to drive to Kentucky (or goodness sakes move on purpose
to his city) to "follow" him, I will continue to practice Yoga every single day of my life.
Then in another part of my day I will continue to read my Bible and try
my best to treat others as I would want to be treated.

Here is a news flash for Mr. Mohler, IF I did not practice Yoga, I for one would not
be able to sit still through his sermons, nor would I be able to go to sleep at night
calmly, nor would I be able to sit and calmly watch a tv show for 30 minutes (still
a hard one with out some type of hand work), if I didn't already go through my
apparently "sinful" 27 minutes of stretches this morning, I would be scrubbing the
driveway and pruning bushes and dancing a jig instead of calmly and quietly
having my morning coffee and typing an insane e-mail about how goofy his thinking is.

Apparently, there are two kinds of people in this world, the kind with open minds and
hearts and ...well you know the rest.

For today...

I love that my childhood school chum became a grandfather today.

I love that three little girls and their Aunt had a bouquet of
autumnal flowers and a photograph delivered to me as a thank you.

I love the homemade corn chowder that I had for lunch today.

I love that I have plans to meet an old friend for coffee next week.

I love that Mr. Right brought me a perfect Godiva coconut macaroon last night.

I love my dog. Espcially when she lays in the deep green grass and looks so
content.

I love that Mr. Right has a latte set up for me each day, ready to push the "start" button.

I love the turning leaves of the Maple tree on the deck.

I love the house vacuumed daily.

I love that the laundry is done.

I love e-mail.

I love sewing felt food. Strawberries today.

I love watching three little birds take a bath in my
butterfly bath.

I love having curly hair.

Cross stitch this..... BE NICE!

Saturday morning found Mr. Right and I at the commissary for some grocery shopping. I forgot it was a hectic and intense pay day weekend. Boy, in the olden days, I knew to the penny what day was pay day and Mother Hubbard certainly had to fill up the cupboards with two hungry boys/teenagers to keep fed and growing. Yikes, I remember back in the day if the bill was not around $300.00 I was a bit concerned. I knew I must have forgotten something! I could pack two carts completely full and have things hanging off the sides, use coupons AND have three lists. One list for me, one for each boy. Each boy had a calculator with his mission clearly mapped out. I knew how to keep them involved and busy/helpful. I was one organized military wife/mom.

I am much more calm now. I can fill a portion of one cart. I use a list now only for things out of the ordinary. 28+ years later, I am pretty good at knowing what we need to get through a couple of weeks.

My mind can wander a bit. I was listening actually eavesdropping on several conversations. I was thinking of Wonder Girl and G.I.Joe starting a life and how fun grocery shopping was in the beginning for all of us young marrieds. Was I ever shocked to over hear how some folks talk to their spouses! They were down right rude. I could even go so far as to say mean and nasty. One gal was having a mean discussion on her cell phone for an isle or two. I went back to a different isle to "loose" my place and pick up with someone else to follow. Raised voices and bickering were not uncommon as we cruised the grocery isles. My eyes got a little teary eyed as I listened to the way some parents spoke so harshly and mean to their children. It was a sad, sad thing for me to listen to.

BE NICE. Because nice matters!!!! Treat your loved one the way you want to be treated.....hey I got a million of these, I can keep going. In this day and age, there is no reason on earth to "have to be married". There is no longer a social sigma attached to a single 35 year old women. So, being adults of sound minds, and you choose to marry or be together..... BE NICE.

In a small black frame hangs a sign in our kitchen, "There is no more lovely, friendly, and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage."

I read a book tonight "Call me Joe" by Jack Greene. The author is a man of integrity. I learned hope and love and compassion something I did not see coming when I began the book. Mr. Greene writes,"when we love, we are loved, we are in the presence of God." In another chapter he states "When we were growing up we never heard our mother or father say a negative word to each other" He and his siblings learned to love by watching and listening.

We all need to practice being nice to our spouses. The way we speak should be soothing and with kindness. You can tell every single person you meet how much to love, adore, respect, like ...your spouse, but if you don't talk with love and kindness to each other than you are just fibbing about loving them.

"Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live."
(j. windspear)

Picasso, white vinegar and for heavens' sake save water

As much as we would all love to just have wonderful memories happen, let's be
honest, it takes some planning to have everything fall into place.

Mr. Right and I have been anxiously waiting (over a year now) for the Picasso exhibit to open at the Seattle Art Museum. October is here and so is the opening of the exhibit. Yes, it is expensive to attend. No, you cannot use coupons, however a military discount does help somewhat. My guess is that this exhibit will be worth every single penny we spend. So, here we are on the first of the month. Yes, we have an envelope we put into each month for entertainment. Yeah! We are going to be entertained. We are putting together a super groovy date night. First and foremost the Picasso exhibit. Then we take money out of the restaurant envelope and treat ourselves to a little French Bistro that we have been wanting to try. We want to have their crepes. It is a small little place with heavenly smells wafting out with great mood lighting and atmosphere inside. Our clothing will be decided upon before hand. We will do research about each piece that will be shown, ahead of time. We have been anticipating this for quite some time.
Here comes the "relationship advice, not asked for"....plan outings together a few times a year. Save for them, plan for them, make it an event, enjoy every single moment experiencing the time together. Sure you can do a scrap book or take pictures or buy postcards, however, here is the best part, you two secretly get to feel proud and happy and joyful that you planned something together and then you get to talk about it over and over. That is how great relationships are built. One experience on top of another, shared together. You will not regret the time and effort you both put into it. Yes, even if it turns out stupid like say, planning on line a head of time,to dine at a wonderful restaurant in San Francisco on your 20th anniversary, only to have the cab driver drop you off at a boarded up restaurant that has been closed for quite some time. Turns out, we switched gears and have the best story to tell about that evening. You are both SO WORTH the effort of planning great times together. It is totally up to you, if you choose to jump in.

Advice number two for the day... Take $5.00 out of your wallet right now. I'm waiting......okay. Quick like a bunny, hop in your car and drive to a dollar store. Buy a plastic squirt bottle and a package of sponges or cloths. Then stop at a grocery store and buy a gallon (yes, I said gallon) of white vinegar. That's it. You will have some change. (you will put that in the change jar I will talk about another time.) Okay you are done. Oh, oh, what are you suppose to do now you ask? Fill up the bottle silly with the white vinegar. That is now pretty much 99% of your cleaning supplies for your home. Yes, you heard me right. You will clean (and naturally disinfect) your counter tops, your bathrooms, your phone, your remote, your door handles, your refrigerator, your keyboard that you are typing on now, your garbage cans, the top of your refrigerator, all your fresh fruit and vegetables (YES, that is how you clean those, spray with white vinegar, scrub, rinse with water) no you don't have to buy "special" food cleaner, back to the list of things to use the vinegar for....wipe your fan blades, add some to the wash load to help the laundry, rinse your hair once every two weeks (gets out all the build up products), wipe down the patio furniture, and on and on and on............no chemicals, cheap, works, don't have to waste money or time shopping for cleaners!
Because Wonder Girl and G.I.Joe want to be healthy for each other, they will want to make sure germs are at a minimum.

#3, save water, bathe together once in a while. Hey, use some of that vinegar to clean your tub or shower. Let's talk spa here. Make that place spotless. (keep a basket hidden that you can use to store all the candles and glasses and potions and replace with the curling iron, razors, clock etc). Turn your utility bathroom into a spa a couple times a month. Then add some fresh towels and candles and flowers. Look for and buy some great textured sponges and mitts. Together find some great scents of bath wash that you are both head over heels in love with. Save up and buy two GREAT, fat, plush white bathrobes. Put up a couple of sturdy hooks to hang them on. Find a small table light and use a 25 watt bulb. Everyone looks and feels better with soft lighting. Keep your eyes peeled for a couple of plastic wine glasses. Weather you enjoy ice cold water with lemon and cucumber slices or an adult beverage of your choice, have the plastic, great quality, great looking glasses ready. Only use them in the "spa". It will be a safe choice. We want you both to enjoy your time together. Together, treating each other well....not together getting treated at the hospital for a cut foot from a piece of broken glass! Plug in your ipod to a docking station or plug in a CD player (on the counter) nothing like a little music to unwind with. Bubbles, bubbles, and more bubbles........yes, even G.I.Joe loves bubbles. Oh those tough Army types try and tell their buddies that they like to shower in 5 minutes with a bar of Lava soap and use it for "shampoo" too. But Wonder Girl you know better. You are both so worth putting time and effort into making a lovely experience happen.

Maybe just maybe, you two will find a great ironwork candleabbra that uses five candles and you too will hang it over the tub on a pully system to bring down and use during those "spa" times. It throws the most becoming shadows on the tiles.

May Wonder Girl and G.I.Joe be bathed in Grace.