There will no post today in protest of the SOPA/PIPPA bill. This bill is about CENSORSHIP! It takes away our free speech.
Click on the link below today for more information & to sign a petition letting your congressperson know you want this bill STOPPED!!
It's time we stopped letting the lobbyists & big corporations run OUR country!
http://sopastrike.com/strike ACT NOW!!!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
January 17th, 2012
I've just noticed that above each post's title on my blog, it lists the date. Since I use the date as my blog title they are usually off by at least a day. That's because it's almost always after midnight before I actually finish my blog each day.
First, let me explain. I am nocturnal. I have tried repeatedly to work and live on society's time clock, but not matter how hard I try, I always end up lapsing back into my night owl ways. It's in my DNA or something. Mornings just do not work for me. I'm fortunate to have a job that takes the night owl gene into account. Working a 48 hour shift, I sleep at different times of the day. It's kind of ok to be up at night because I'm just as likely to get a run at 3am as I am at 3pm.
I can't imagine working a Mon - Fri, 9:00 - 5:00 job. I don't think I could function well enough at those hours to do it even! I have never really understood how people do that. On a couple of rare occasions I have worked similar hours. But, let's just say it wasn't pretty! lol.
First, let me explain. I am nocturnal. I have tried repeatedly to work and live on society's time clock, but not matter how hard I try, I always end up lapsing back into my night owl ways. It's in my DNA or something. Mornings just do not work for me. I'm fortunate to have a job that takes the night owl gene into account. Working a 48 hour shift, I sleep at different times of the day. It's kind of ok to be up at night because I'm just as likely to get a run at 3am as I am at 3pm.
I can't imagine working a Mon - Fri, 9:00 - 5:00 job. I don't think I could function well enough at those hours to do it even! I have never really understood how people do that. On a couple of rare occasions I have worked similar hours. But, let's just say it wasn't pretty! lol.
I have no problem staying up until the wee hours of the morning... unless I've had some killer NyQuil or something like that. That stuff is lethal! I'm out like a light w/ dose of that, lol.
But mornings, not so much. I have my alarm set to do at least three snoozes.
Luckily today has been another slow day at work. That's always a good thing in my business.
Had a good partner today too. Mostly the medics at this station just trade around amongst themselves so we usually always have a good partner here. This is a calm station, not just in run volume, but in personalities as well. With being on 24 [the other two crews] or 48 hours [our crew] at a time, that's a very important detail.
Last night a friend of mine, Connie called. She runs PAAWS, an animal rescue that I help out with from time to time. She had asked us a while ago to foster a kitten that was having surgery to remove a damaged eye. {We adopted our last cat from them, an adorable little Russian Blue who also has only one eye}. After a little discussion, we agreed to do that.
First you have to understand something. At our house, "foster" is code word for "adopt". Nothing leaves our house. Which is why we rarely foster.
At any rate, when it came time to pick her up at the vet's, the vet tech decided she would foster her since she was just out of surgery. In case she had problems. Even though we've dealt with this before {we have a little girl who had to have both eyes removed due to massive infection causing so much damage before we found her}, I was content to leave her in the tech's capable hands. In fact, I figured she'd fallen in love w/her and would eventually adopt her.
However, last night, Connie she the vet tech was ready to let her go now. She felt she was safe to be w/out such close supervision I suppose. Connie asked would we 'foster' her. I knew Allen would say yes. But I told her I'd have to talk to him.
Needless to say, Allen readily agreed that we would give her a home when we spoke today. That's one of the many reasons I love him so. He loves the cats too and he knows they need good loving homes as much as I do. He wasn't always so eager to take on a cat. Whew.. there have been days... and arguments... and threats of divorce even probably once or twice over cats, lol... But, these days he's as bad as I am. When I agreed to try and find a home for Titan, Allen told the girl, "just bring him on over to the house. We'll take him." Titan is his baby too. He's a big Daddy's boy. {on many levels, he weighs about 17 pounds, sorry Titan}
So, I suppose Thursday we'll have a new baby in our home. I can't wait. Jordan is excited too. We all love the cats. Jordan has the "have to save every one of them" gene as well. Laker is the baby he hauled home. He found her in a HIGH kill shelter and couldn't leave her so she's ours too now.
But Arena, who came from down the street ADORES Jordan. She lives w/him in his downstairs apartment of our house. They are both just crazy about each other. I'm so glad my family is a cat family. I can't imagine life any other way. I wouldn't even want to try!
Ok.. enough rambling, this post will show after midnight already too. lol.
Today's Act of Kindness: I wrote a card to a friend that I haven't gotten to see for a while. She is such a sweet person. We used to get to see each other every week when we all played in a card tournament. But the past tournaments were cancelled. So I haven't gotten to see her in many months. She is such a sweet and smart woman. I just love her to pieces. I feel guilty saying the card is an act of kindness because it made me just as happy or moreso than it probably will her. I didn't get out to get a stamp so I didn't get to mail it today, but I have a lot of errands to run tomorrow so I'll drop it in the mail then. She is so funny. Hopefully they will start the card tournaments back soon and we'll be able to see each other regularly again. If not, I'll just have to call her and make lunch plans.
Speaking of lunch plans, Annette called today. We made lunch plans for next week. But I bring her up to say a huge CONGRATULATIONS on your brand new granddaughter Annette!! I'm not sure we like to think of ourselves as being in the grandparent age bracket yet, but we most assuredly are! lol. Welcome little one and congratulations also to Mom and Dad, Jason and Alex.
5 Things I'm Grateful For:
1. New babies. Not to insult human babies, but I mean babies of all kinds. A baby is just such a gift. It's a
brand new start at life. The are so precious.
2. Good friends who keep up w/me in spite of my weird life. I am ashamed to admit that I'm terrible
about keeping up correspondence and contact with friends. It's not that I don't love them, I do! But the
main issue is with my weird sleep habits and fibromyalgia. Most of the time, I'm just too tired to do
anything that isn't required these days. I have Annette of course, that I already mentioned, but I also have
a dear friend that I love very much. More than she realizes. She has kept track of me and kept things
alive between us since we were 17 years old. I know it's a lot of work on her part, and I appreciate that
she makes that effort. I do love her.
3. My address book. I am so scatter brained these days that I'd never know any addresses if I didn't have
that. I try to keep the phone numbers in there up to date too because w/speed dial on my phone now, or
just dialing by name, I wouldn't be able to tell you a phone number if I tried. Sometimes even my own! lol
4. Microwave ovens. They are a godsend! I was able to fix a complete meal of meatloaf, mashed
potatoes, and green beans w/one pot and do it in about 20 minutes. How can you beat that?!?! We had
one of the very first microwaves out. It was huge, came from Sears. Everything in our house came from
Sears. My Daddy bought it for Mom. I honestly can't remember a time w/out a microwave. That is
funny to me. It always amazes me when I talk about something that has been around FOREVER.... and
then realize that the person w/me has no idea what I'm talking about. They're too young to remember the
item or don't know a life without it if it's something that is fairly new to me, but has been around since
before they were born. It cracks me up to tell about MTV back in the beginning. Things like that.
5. My new reading light. It is so cool. It came from Harriet Carter. Allen & Jordan got it for me for
Christmas. At home I've been reading w/a light attached to a lap desk that Jordan bought me. That's
been great too. I love to turn all the lights off and then just use my little light to read by. It's like
everything outside the circle of light doesn't exist and you can truly get into the spirit of the book. I love to
lay in bed at night and read. I always have. I've always told my son, 'everything you'll ever want to know
is in a book somewhere!'. Of course I suppose w/the internet these days, it's on there as well. But I still
love books. And w/my new kindle, it's awesome!
Ok.. off to take my reading light and my kindle to bed for just a little while, then to sleep so I can get all my errands done tomorrow. G'night all!
January 16th, 2012
Back to work today. First day of a 48 hour shift. Fortunately it's been a quiet day so far. Hopefully it will stay that way. I didn't get much sleep last night. I don't sleep well in general, but last night I stayed up until 3am reading. I had no idea it was that late until Allen woke up and said something. It took everything to drag my butt out of bed this morning!
Luckily we've been able to relax a bit today. I've laid around and read my kindle, finally finished the book I was reading last night. I get so wrapped up in a good book that it's so difficult to put it down. Since there really isn't much to write about for today, I'll get to my Act of Kindness.
Today's Act of Kindness: I bought breakfast for my partner today. I've known him and been friends with him for several years.. probably close to ten years now. I just love him and his family to pieces. I enjoy getting to be partners with him. He's not my usual partner. They trade frequently though because she is in nursing school right now. Luckily when she has to trade I still get wonderful partners!
5 Things I am Grateful For:
1. Quiet days at work. As I've always said, 'A bad day for us, means a worse day for someone else.'
2. Storms. I LOVE a good storm. A few minutes ago, my partner was standing at the door and said, "here
comes the rain." and you could hear the rain start to pour down. I love it! He wasn't too impressed
when he saw lightening. We have a HUGE radio tower just out our back door. But I can sit here and
listen to the thunder as I write. <sigh>
3. Chocolate cookies and brownies. These are my sweet tooth weaknesses. Maxine's in Evansville
makes bourbon brownies that are OUT OF THIS WORLD DELICIOUS! If I have any in the house, I
can hear them calling my name even in my sleep, lol.
4. Winter. I love winter. It's so much better than summer. I cannot handle the summer heat, but I can pile
on the clothes and enjoy every minute of winter! My only concern is that we don't get any snow
anymore. I took a government survey yesterday and one of the questions was whether I believed global
warming was a true issue. YES it is people! One, the poor polar bears are suffering from the effects
already. That's reason enough alone to do something about it. However, from a personal viewpoint,
when I was a little girl we had snow, I mean REAL snow. Closing school, drifting the roads closed, buy
up supplies, snow! Now you get a 'dusting' of snow at best. I miss the real snows. I miss snow cream.
[which my son swears is gross since it came from outside, lol, too bad, all the more for me! lol]
5. A good mattress. I LOVE my bed at home. Allen hates his half of it, but my half is perfect!! lol. Since
I sleep at work two nights a week, in a bed that's not my own, I can REALLY appreciate how much I
love my bed. Our mattress is a pillow top mattress, but since I know our budget, I'm sure it wasn't some
high priced OMG mattress, lol. But it is perfect in my opinion. I'm always happy to get to sleep in my
own bed at night.
Ok.. going to wrap this up and hit this work mattress. It's not MY mattress, but it'll do for tonight, lol. Snuggle up w/my kindle and read while I listen to the storm brewing outside... ahhhh PERFECT!
Luckily we've been able to relax a bit today. I've laid around and read my kindle, finally finished the book I was reading last night. I get so wrapped up in a good book that it's so difficult to put it down. Since there really isn't much to write about for today, I'll get to my Act of Kindness.
Today's Act of Kindness: I bought breakfast for my partner today. I've known him and been friends with him for several years.. probably close to ten years now. I just love him and his family to pieces. I enjoy getting to be partners with him. He's not my usual partner. They trade frequently though because she is in nursing school right now. Luckily when she has to trade I still get wonderful partners!
5 Things I am Grateful For:
1. Quiet days at work. As I've always said, 'A bad day for us, means a worse day for someone else.'
2. Storms. I LOVE a good storm. A few minutes ago, my partner was standing at the door and said, "here
comes the rain." and you could hear the rain start to pour down. I love it! He wasn't too impressed
when he saw lightening. We have a HUGE radio tower just out our back door. But I can sit here and
listen to the thunder as I write. <sigh>
3. Chocolate cookies and brownies. These are my sweet tooth weaknesses. Maxine's in Evansville
makes bourbon brownies that are OUT OF THIS WORLD DELICIOUS! If I have any in the house, I
can hear them calling my name even in my sleep, lol.
4. Winter. I love winter. It's so much better than summer. I cannot handle the summer heat, but I can pile
on the clothes and enjoy every minute of winter! My only concern is that we don't get any snow
anymore. I took a government survey yesterday and one of the questions was whether I believed global
warming was a true issue. YES it is people! One, the poor polar bears are suffering from the effects
already. That's reason enough alone to do something about it. However, from a personal viewpoint,
when I was a little girl we had snow, I mean REAL snow. Closing school, drifting the roads closed, buy
up supplies, snow! Now you get a 'dusting' of snow at best. I miss the real snows. I miss snow cream.
[which my son swears is gross since it came from outside, lol, too bad, all the more for me! lol]
5. A good mattress. I LOVE my bed at home. Allen hates his half of it, but my half is perfect!! lol. Since
I sleep at work two nights a week, in a bed that's not my own, I can REALLY appreciate how much I
love my bed. Our mattress is a pillow top mattress, but since I know our budget, I'm sure it wasn't some
high priced OMG mattress, lol. But it is perfect in my opinion. I'm always happy to get to sleep in my
own bed at night.
Ok.. going to wrap this up and hit this work mattress. It's not MY mattress, but it'll do for tonight, lol. Snuggle up w/my kindle and read while I listen to the storm brewing outside... ahhhh PERFECT!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
January 15th, 2012
I've had a little difficulty w/my computer lately. I haven't been able to get it to do what I want it to do. Today I cleaned a bunch of stuff off the download manager, etc... cookies, etc... [whatever those are]. I profusely apologize for the gap in posts.
However, I hope that I can get caught up and back on track w/this post. I haven't done too badly w/keeping up my acts of kindness.
It's been a very busy week, Jordan and I went to Carbondale on Saturday for an SIU game. Jordan does stadium reviews for a magazine called Stadium Journey. We had a really good time. It was a nice drive and just enjoyable to be able to spend the time w/him. \We' were heading to another game on Thurs, but the weather just got too bad.
Let me catch up my acts of kindness from the past week or so.
Friday, January 6th Act of Kindness: I sent a card to someone just to let them know I was thinking of them. I am hesitant to write who since I don't know 1} If they would want their name in my blog, and 2} will they think I just sent the card for something to do... I DON'T want them to think that way. I sent it because they'd been on my mind lately and I wanted them to know someone was thinking of them.
Saturday, January 7th Act of Kindness: This one was really trivial, but I'm trying to include little acts as well because 1} money isn't growing on a tree in my backyard, and 2} I want people to understand that even small acts of kindness can mean a lot to those receiving the gesture. Jordan had gone to bring the car around to the other side of the building so I could go out the door w/no stairs [I have severe arthritis in my knees and stairs are hard for me, so there was Jordan's reatly appreciated act of kindness!] As I waited for him just outside the door, I noticed an older couple coming, He was walking w/a cane and she was holding onto him. I opened the door for them, so he wouldn't have to juggle the door and the cane, nor would she. They smiled and thanked me. We all felt good by even such a simple act.
Sunday, January 8th, Act of Kindness: I admit I didn't really get anything accomplished this day. I planned to sort the clothes and get them ready to go to Aurora. I have them in trash bags, but I know there are still other things I need to put in there. We are supposed to go through our closets next week since we're going to paint and redo the master closet. I will gather up anything else by then so I can get all the things I have over to Aurora.
Monday, January 9th, and Saturday January 14th Acts of Kindness: I will lump these two in together since they are the same thing. On each of those days I ordered a toy to be put back for the Toys for Tots drive in December. This is such an amazing and deserving cause. I have worked the T4T's give away when I was an active member of the Marine Corps Aux. Most of the parents are so grateful to have something to give their child for Christmas. You can see the gratitude and relief on their faces. And you know the children will be thrilled when they open them Christmas morning too. It's just such a wonderful feeling. It's a win-win situation for everyone involved. I cannot say enough good things about this organization or this cause. http://www.toysfortots.org/ If someone local wants to donate and doesn't know where to take the items, just let me know and I'll be happy to pick up / drop them off. This is the local website: http://evansville-in.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.asp
Tuesday, January 10th Act of Kindness: I did a little networking for a cause, but mainly I put together a list of causes / organizations I wanted to support through the newsletter's Charity of the Month. I pulled wish lists, etc so I would know what kind of things they needed now, and I'll update that as their turn comes for Charity of the month. I'm still two shy of filling the year, but I didn't rush to fill them in case someone else at the service has a cause they would like for us to support. That will leave space for adding those.
Wednesday, January 11th, Act of Kindness: I made a donation to a rescue group I'd recently heard of, The Grannie Project. I'd been facebook friends w/ the grannies, a couple of senior cats, but I didn't realize they had a rescue organization. The Grannie Project works to advocate for, rescue, and rehome senior pets. They work out of foster homes. Juliet, one of the original senior cats recently turned 22 years old! Unfortunately her sister, Kate, crossed over the Rainbow Bridge this year. I think this is an awesome
project. Too often senior cats and dogs are passed over in favor of the cute little kittens and puppies. If you've ever had a senior pet, you know the value of such an amazing little soul. For more information go to http://thegrannieproject.org/
Thursday, January 12th, Act of Kindness: When I bought our large bags of cat food, I picked up a large bag of cat food to be donated to PAAWS. Two of our sweet babies came from PAAWS, a local rescue organization. Mickey was supposed to be a foster, but the minute we got him home we knew he'd be staying. One meeting w/Raider and I knew he would soon be coming home to live w/us too. http://www.paaws.org/ The animals are cared for in foster homes. They do an amazing job with all the animals they have come through their organization. They are NO KILL.
Friday, January 13th, Act of Kindness: Today I finally managed to get down to the Evansville Rescue Mission and meet w/ Tori Flaherty. She is such a nice person. She makes you anxious to volunteer. I'll be working w/clients on housing paperwork and intake paperwork. This is such a worthy cause. I'm excited about the chance to help out. Temperatures have down into the teens the past couple of nights here. Having a warm place to stay can mean the difference between life and death in this kind of weather. There are a couple of good organizations and shelters here in town. I plan to work w/them in other ways too. These types of places are so important. ERM has many many opportunities for people who want to help out. Check out this website and see if you might be able to help too. http://www.2rescue.org/
I started this post on Saturday, but I'm not getting to finish it up until today, Sunday, so I'll add Sunday's Act of Kindness here as well.
Sunday, January 15th, Act of Kindness: I clipped the coupons from our Sunday paper today. Military families serving overseas can use manufacturer's coupons up to sixty days past the expiration date. They use them in commissaries [the military version of a grocery store on base] or in the PX [the military version of a department store on base]. Money is tight on a military budget. These brave men and women are putting their lives on the line to protect our freedoms, I figure I can at least try to help stretch their budget w/any coupons I might have. For more information on how to get involved go to: http://www.ocpnet.org/
5 Things I am Grateful For:
1. My date planner. Without it, I'd be lost. It's all that keeps me on track some days. {that and my
husband who is good about making sure I am were I'm supposed to be!, lol}
2. No Bake Cookies. When I was in grade school, I was SO skinny that my parents, and the lunch lady
were always trying to fatten me up. {apparently this had a much delayed reaction!!!} So every day the
lunch lady kept a package of no bake cookies back for me to eat as my dessert. I am still addicted to
them! lol
3. Nice people who make you happy to volunteer. I have been to other places to volunteer and was treated like a leper. There is one major organization that I would never support or volunteer for again
because of my treatment when I attempted to volunteer. People like Tori at ERM make you excited
about helping in any way you can. She made me anxious to get started and made me feel welcome \
there. I didn't feel out of place or awkward. For that I am tremendously grateful. {going into situations
like that really makes me seriously nervous and I so dread going.}
4. The people who cared enough to start the shelters we have. I can't imagine what it would be like to be \
out in this weather for any length of time. The other day I couldn't get into my car and I was outside for
several minutes. My sister pulled up while I was waiting for my son to come back for me and I was so
happy to see her. I'm glad we have some recourse for those who are able to get into the shelters for
warmth and food. My gratitude to those who make them available to those who need them.
5. Benjamin Franklin. Do you have any idea what all this man has given us? Electricity! That alone would
win him an award from me. Being afraid of the dark, I find this discovery to be monumental. But he also
gave us bifocals {which I now need even if I don't totally appreciate them}, the first lending library in
America, and the first Fire Department {in PA.} being a former volunteer firefighter and still in EMS, I am
certainly thankful for that contribution. All this and more, in addition to being one of our country's founding
fathers! I would have loved the chance to meet him.
This has been kind of a hectic week for some reason. I don't really even know why. But hopefully it will not be so crazy next week. And hopefully I won't have the computer issues I had this week again next week. I have no idea what that was all about. Fortunately it seems to have cleared itself up.
Tomorrow I go back to work for a 48hr shift, so there is much to get done here at home today. If all goes well, I'll talk to you tomorrow!
However, I hope that I can get caught up and back on track w/this post. I haven't done too badly w/keeping up my acts of kindness.
It's been a very busy week, Jordan and I went to Carbondale on Saturday for an SIU game. Jordan does stadium reviews for a magazine called Stadium Journey. We had a really good time. It was a nice drive and just enjoyable to be able to spend the time w/him. \We' were heading to another game on Thurs, but the weather just got too bad.
Let me catch up my acts of kindness from the past week or so.
Friday, January 6th Act of Kindness: I sent a card to someone just to let them know I was thinking of them. I am hesitant to write who since I don't know 1} If they would want their name in my blog, and 2} will they think I just sent the card for something to do... I DON'T want them to think that way. I sent it because they'd been on my mind lately and I wanted them to know someone was thinking of them.
Saturday, January 7th Act of Kindness: This one was really trivial, but I'm trying to include little acts as well because 1} money isn't growing on a tree in my backyard, and 2} I want people to understand that even small acts of kindness can mean a lot to those receiving the gesture. Jordan had gone to bring the car around to the other side of the building so I could go out the door w/no stairs [I have severe arthritis in my knees and stairs are hard for me, so there was Jordan's reatly appreciated act of kindness!] As I waited for him just outside the door, I noticed an older couple coming, He was walking w/a cane and she was holding onto him. I opened the door for them, so he wouldn't have to juggle the door and the cane, nor would she. They smiled and thanked me. We all felt good by even such a simple act.
Sunday, January 8th, Act of Kindness: I admit I didn't really get anything accomplished this day. I planned to sort the clothes and get them ready to go to Aurora. I have them in trash bags, but I know there are still other things I need to put in there. We are supposed to go through our closets next week since we're going to paint and redo the master closet. I will gather up anything else by then so I can get all the things I have over to Aurora.
Monday, January 9th, and Saturday January 14th Acts of Kindness: I will lump these two in together since they are the same thing. On each of those days I ordered a toy to be put back for the Toys for Tots drive in December. This is such an amazing and deserving cause. I have worked the T4T's give away when I was an active member of the Marine Corps Aux. Most of the parents are so grateful to have something to give their child for Christmas. You can see the gratitude and relief on their faces. And you know the children will be thrilled when they open them Christmas morning too. It's just such a wonderful feeling. It's a win-win situation for everyone involved. I cannot say enough good things about this organization or this cause. http://www.toysfortots.org/ If someone local wants to donate and doesn't know where to take the items, just let me know and I'll be happy to pick up / drop them off. This is the local website: http://evansville-in.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.asp
Tuesday, January 10th Act of Kindness: I did a little networking for a cause, but mainly I put together a list of causes / organizations I wanted to support through the newsletter's Charity of the Month. I pulled wish lists, etc so I would know what kind of things they needed now, and I'll update that as their turn comes for Charity of the month. I'm still two shy of filling the year, but I didn't rush to fill them in case someone else at the service has a cause they would like for us to support. That will leave space for adding those.
Wednesday, January 11th, Act of Kindness: I made a donation to a rescue group I'd recently heard of, The Grannie Project. I'd been facebook friends w/ the grannies, a couple of senior cats, but I didn't realize they had a rescue organization. The Grannie Project works to advocate for, rescue, and rehome senior pets. They work out of foster homes. Juliet, one of the original senior cats recently turned 22 years old! Unfortunately her sister, Kate, crossed over the Rainbow Bridge this year. I think this is an awesome
project. Too often senior cats and dogs are passed over in favor of the cute little kittens and puppies. If you've ever had a senior pet, you know the value of such an amazing little soul. For more information go to http://thegrannieproject.org/
Thursday, January 12th, Act of Kindness: When I bought our large bags of cat food, I picked up a large bag of cat food to be donated to PAAWS. Two of our sweet babies came from PAAWS, a local rescue organization. Mickey was supposed to be a foster, but the minute we got him home we knew he'd be staying. One meeting w/Raider and I knew he would soon be coming home to live w/us too. http://www.paaws.org/ The animals are cared for in foster homes. They do an amazing job with all the animals they have come through their organization. They are NO KILL.
Friday, January 13th, Act of Kindness: Today I finally managed to get down to the Evansville Rescue Mission and meet w/ Tori Flaherty. She is such a nice person. She makes you anxious to volunteer. I'll be working w/clients on housing paperwork and intake paperwork. This is such a worthy cause. I'm excited about the chance to help out. Temperatures have down into the teens the past couple of nights here. Having a warm place to stay can mean the difference between life and death in this kind of weather. There are a couple of good organizations and shelters here in town. I plan to work w/them in other ways too. These types of places are so important. ERM has many many opportunities for people who want to help out. Check out this website and see if you might be able to help too. http://www.2rescue.org/
I started this post on Saturday, but I'm not getting to finish it up until today, Sunday, so I'll add Sunday's Act of Kindness here as well.
Sunday, January 15th, Act of Kindness: I clipped the coupons from our Sunday paper today. Military families serving overseas can use manufacturer's coupons up to sixty days past the expiration date. They use them in commissaries [the military version of a grocery store on base] or in the PX [the military version of a department store on base]. Money is tight on a military budget. These brave men and women are putting their lives on the line to protect our freedoms, I figure I can at least try to help stretch their budget w/any coupons I might have. For more information on how to get involved go to: http://www.ocpnet.org/
5 Things I am Grateful For:
1. My date planner. Without it, I'd be lost. It's all that keeps me on track some days. {that and my
husband who is good about making sure I am were I'm supposed to be!, lol}
2. No Bake Cookies. When I was in grade school, I was SO skinny that my parents, and the lunch lady
were always trying to fatten me up. {apparently this had a much delayed reaction!!!} So every day the
lunch lady kept a package of no bake cookies back for me to eat as my dessert. I am still addicted to
them! lol
3. Nice people who make you happy to volunteer. I have been to other places to volunteer and was treated like a leper. There is one major organization that I would never support or volunteer for again
because of my treatment when I attempted to volunteer. People like Tori at ERM make you excited
about helping in any way you can. She made me anxious to get started and made me feel welcome \
there. I didn't feel out of place or awkward. For that I am tremendously grateful. {going into situations
like that really makes me seriously nervous and I so dread going.}
4. The people who cared enough to start the shelters we have. I can't imagine what it would be like to be \
out in this weather for any length of time. The other day I couldn't get into my car and I was outside for
several minutes. My sister pulled up while I was waiting for my son to come back for me and I was so
happy to see her. I'm glad we have some recourse for those who are able to get into the shelters for
warmth and food. My gratitude to those who make them available to those who need them.
5. Benjamin Franklin. Do you have any idea what all this man has given us? Electricity! That alone would
win him an award from me. Being afraid of the dark, I find this discovery to be monumental. But he also
gave us bifocals {which I now need even if I don't totally appreciate them}, the first lending library in
America, and the first Fire Department {in PA.} being a former volunteer firefighter and still in EMS, I am
certainly thankful for that contribution. All this and more, in addition to being one of our country's founding
fathers! I would have loved the chance to meet him.
This has been kind of a hectic week for some reason. I don't really even know why. But hopefully it will not be so crazy next week. And hopefully I won't have the computer issues I had this week again next week. I have no idea what that was all about. Fortunately it seems to have cleared itself up.
Tomorrow I go back to work for a 48hr shift, so there is much to get done here at home today. If all goes well, I'll talk to you tomorrow!
Saturday, January 14, 2012
January 5th, 2012
I started putting the newsletter together last night. It was a LOT more complicated than I realized. I've never done a newsletter so I didn't really have a clue. There was a lot of things to decide, fonts, how to work the do-dads in Microsoft Office. It would have been simpler if I would able to just email the newsletter to everyone, but I didn't have that option this time.
It was fun getting to know a little about the people I profiled this month though. I've known John for a while and Gladys a long time, but still, it was nice to learn more about them. Just giving them a call and chatting w/them was fun. I'm looking forward to doing that each month.
New Harmony Fire Dept has their Bean Supper fundraiser coming up soon.. [Jan 21st] I'm looking forward to that. I called my sister to see if she and her man wanted to go w/us. That'll be fun.
Today's Act of Kindness: Putting together the newsletter and introducing the "Charity of the Month". The newsletter is an act of kindness because it's meant to draw together a group that sometimes forgets we're on the same team. Working out of four different buildings [and w/some it's attitude], things sometimes can get pretty ugly. I'm hoping it will bring us closer together. Plus each month in the newsletter, there will be a Charity of the Month. I'm hoping it will encourage people to donate items to that month's charity. I will pick the items up each month and deliver them.
5 Things I am Grateful For:
1. My printer. I love my printer. It's an Epson so the ink is expensive, but it does a really good job.
2. The Epson Website. Lately I keep having to do a little maintainence on my printer because I go so long
between print jobs. I'm so glad their trouble shooting website is easy enough for even me to be able to
use it!.
3. My laptop. I can't even imagine how much trouble it would have been to do this newsletter w/out it!!!
4. My co-workers. They have been positive about this newsletter and eager to help. I really appreciate
that. One sweet co-worker is making boxes for the donations to be put into at each station! How sweet!
5. Too tired to think of a 5th right now... Just ready to get in bed... g'night
It was fun getting to know a little about the people I profiled this month though. I've known John for a while and Gladys a long time, but still, it was nice to learn more about them. Just giving them a call and chatting w/them was fun. I'm looking forward to doing that each month.
New Harmony Fire Dept has their Bean Supper fundraiser coming up soon.. [Jan 21st] I'm looking forward to that. I called my sister to see if she and her man wanted to go w/us. That'll be fun.
Today's Act of Kindness: Putting together the newsletter and introducing the "Charity of the Month". The newsletter is an act of kindness because it's meant to draw together a group that sometimes forgets we're on the same team. Working out of four different buildings [and w/some it's attitude], things sometimes can get pretty ugly. I'm hoping it will bring us closer together. Plus each month in the newsletter, there will be a Charity of the Month. I'm hoping it will encourage people to donate items to that month's charity. I will pick the items up each month and deliver them.
5 Things I am Grateful For:
1. My printer. I love my printer. It's an Epson so the ink is expensive, but it does a really good job.
2. The Epson Website. Lately I keep having to do a little maintainence on my printer because I go so long
between print jobs. I'm so glad their trouble shooting website is easy enough for even me to be able to
use it!.
3. My laptop. I can't even imagine how much trouble it would have been to do this newsletter w/out it!!!
4. My co-workers. They have been positive about this newsletter and eager to help. I really appreciate
that. One sweet co-worker is making boxes for the donations to be put into at each station! How sweet!
5. Too tired to think of a 5th right now... Just ready to get in bed... g'night
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
January 4th, 2012
Well, I've been a LITTLE more productive today than yesterday. I made it to work. Barely on time since I had to stop for gas {which Allen usually does for me, bless his heart!}. But I did make it. We've had a couple of disregards, no actual runs yet. But I'm ok w/that. Better to be disregarded than have a person actually in trouble.
I FINALLY got to see Mama Mia tonight. I've wanted to see it since before it came out. It was a really good movie. I LOVE Pierce Brosnan. Yeah, I think I can imagine spending the rest of my life on an island w/him, lol.
I wish I could go to the movies more often. I love watching movies. But it's my own fault probably that I don't go. And I got a gift certificate for the theater for Christmas so I definitely will be going soon. This is the year I stop missing out!
I wish I could pull off spandex as well as the women in Mama Mia do at the end, too, lol. That one will take a little longer to manage. But it's on my agenda too. I need to dig out my home gym next week and start using it on a regular basis. I wanted it so bad. I waited forever to finally be able to get it and get it put together. And then I've never really used it. What a waste! Right now it's kind of covered up w/Jordan's things, but an hour or so and moving a few things around, I'll have a good working area I think. I need to find a way to put a "to-do" list on this page as well, lol.
Today's Act of Kindness: It seems too simple to qualify, but simple acts mean as much or more some times than elaborate or expensive ones do. We all have to remember to do whatever we can, no matter how big or small. Today I spent a few minutes networking for charity organizations. The main one I listed in my facebook page was Blind Cat Rescue and Sanctuary. It's the same organization I donated to on the 2nd, but it's does such amazing work that I really wanted to get it out there a little more. If you haven't had the opportunity to look into the sanctuary, click on this link: http://blindcatrescue.com/ and check it out.
5 Things I'm Grateful For:
1. My kindle. I LOVE this thing. I wasn't sure I wanted one last Christmas. Then Allen bought it for my birthday this past summer. Now I can't imagine not having it. I'm also grateful for the many free books they offer to read on there. Otherwise I'd be more BROKE than I already am, if that's possible, lol
2. Small town diners. I love to watch the people gather around and catch up on everyone's lives. And in EVERY small town, in EVERY little diner, there's a table of old men sitting there in the morning. They are talking about solving the world's problems. I suppose all the old women are home doing that, lol.
3. The internet. I suppose it's the modern version of a small town diner. It keeps us all talking, all together, no matter how far apart we end up being. It keeps me in touch w/all the wonderful people I've met all over.
4. My glasses. For a long time I did without my glasses. I just didn't really have the money to spend on something like that. I thought I was fine without them. But since getting them again this past year, I wonder how I ever managed w/out them! I can't see a thing w/out them. I feel for people who are so poor they can't get glasses. I wish I knew a way to make that happen for all of them. No one should be walking around w/out being able to see.
5. Good people to work with. I'm lucky that I work with some very nice people. It makes a world of difference I know.
Ok, I'm winding down for the night. Hopefully the 911 line is as well, lol. Time to take my kindle and go relax across the bed. G'night all!
I wish I could go to the movies more often. I love watching movies. But it's my own fault probably that I don't go. And I got a gift certificate for the theater for Christmas so I definitely will be going soon. This is the year I stop missing out!
I wish I could pull off spandex as well as the women in Mama Mia do at the end, too, lol. That one will take a little longer to manage. But it's on my agenda too. I need to dig out my home gym next week and start using it on a regular basis. I wanted it so bad. I waited forever to finally be able to get it and get it put together. And then I've never really used it. What a waste! Right now it's kind of covered up w/Jordan's things, but an hour or so and moving a few things around, I'll have a good working area I think. I need to find a way to put a "to-do" list on this page as well, lol.
Today's Act of Kindness: It seems too simple to qualify, but simple acts mean as much or more some times than elaborate or expensive ones do. We all have to remember to do whatever we can, no matter how big or small. Today I spent a few minutes networking for charity organizations. The main one I listed in my facebook page was Blind Cat Rescue and Sanctuary. It's the same organization I donated to on the 2nd, but it's does such amazing work that I really wanted to get it out there a little more. If you haven't had the opportunity to look into the sanctuary, click on this link: http://blindcatrescue.com/ and check it out.
5 Things I'm Grateful For:
1. My kindle. I LOVE this thing. I wasn't sure I wanted one last Christmas. Then Allen bought it for my birthday this past summer. Now I can't imagine not having it. I'm also grateful for the many free books they offer to read on there. Otherwise I'd be more BROKE than I already am, if that's possible, lol
2. Small town diners. I love to watch the people gather around and catch up on everyone's lives. And in EVERY small town, in EVERY little diner, there's a table of old men sitting there in the morning. They are talking about solving the world's problems. I suppose all the old women are home doing that, lol.
3. The internet. I suppose it's the modern version of a small town diner. It keeps us all talking, all together, no matter how far apart we end up being. It keeps me in touch w/all the wonderful people I've met all over.
4. My glasses. For a long time I did without my glasses. I just didn't really have the money to spend on something like that. I thought I was fine without them. But since getting them again this past year, I wonder how I ever managed w/out them! I can't see a thing w/out them. I feel for people who are so poor they can't get glasses. I wish I knew a way to make that happen for all of them. No one should be walking around w/out being able to see.
5. Good people to work with. I'm lucky that I work with some very nice people. It makes a world of difference I know.
Ok, I'm winding down for the night. Hopefully the 911 line is as well, lol. Time to take my kindle and go relax across the bed. G'night all!
January 3rd, 2012
Well, there wasn't much accountability today. I haven't been very motivated to do much of anything. We were supposed to go out to dinner tonight, but none of us felt like going. Allen and Jordan worked today so I can understand why they didn't want to go. But today was my last day off before going back for a 48 hr shift. I suppose I was just being lazy. I'll have to work on that! lol
Today's Act of Kindness: I did manage to accomplish my act of kindness for the day. I left a facebook message for a friend that I hadn't seen for a while. We used to work together a LONG time ago. When we talked she said she didn't have any friends. I find that hard to believe because when we worked together she was always so funny and such a nice person. But I can understand how a person feels that way at times. I left a message for us to make plans for having lunch together this next week. Hopefully we can work it out. I'm not sure what kind of schedule she has these days, but usually I have a couple of days free to work with each week.
5 Things I'm Grateful For:
1. My favorite jammie pants. SOOOO comfortable! lol
2. Lazy days, especially the part where we're all home together.
3. Not having to go to the laundromat. I hated that when we first got married. I'm glad it's just a walk downstairs. {Actually, it's even better than that - it was just giving the laundry to Allen to take down while I called in the pizza! lol} Told you it was a lazy day!
4. Toilet paper. No, seriously! Can you imagine if we didn't have it!?!? OMG.. and the way we go through it at our house, I truly think we should look into buying toilet paper stock. I'm pretty sure that's where the money is at in this country. Especially if you're judging by the number of empty toilet paper rolls always laying around the bathrooms at our house!
5. My little hand held fan. I'll be grateful for it later in the year for another reason, but for now, I'm glad I can use it to cool off the food on Raider's plate so he doesn't burn his little mouth. I hate having to blow and blow on food to cool it off.. so I just hold this little fan over his plate and it's cools it down. [Of course I still check it w/my fingers to make sure it's really cool all the way through.]
Alright, enough for today. Have a good evening!
5 Things I'm Grateful For:
1. My favorite jammie pants. SOOOO comfortable! lol
2. Lazy days, especially the part where we're all home together.
3. Not having to go to the laundromat. I hated that when we first got married. I'm glad it's just a walk downstairs. {Actually, it's even better than that - it was just giving the laundry to Allen to take down while I called in the pizza! lol} Told you it was a lazy day!
4. Toilet paper. No, seriously! Can you imagine if we didn't have it!?!? OMG.. and the way we go through it at our house, I truly think we should look into buying toilet paper stock. I'm pretty sure that's where the money is at in this country. Especially if you're judging by the number of empty toilet paper rolls always laying around the bathrooms at our house!
5. My little hand held fan. I'll be grateful for it later in the year for another reason, but for now, I'm glad I can use it to cool off the food on Raider's plate so he doesn't burn his little mouth. I hate having to blow and blow on food to cool it off.. so I just hold this little fan over his plate and it's cools it down. [Of course I still check it w/my fingers to make sure it's really cool all the way through.]
Alright, enough for today. Have a good evening!
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