One of the joys of creating an online diary is the freedom and limitless posting options that are available. As long as your ideas are flowing your posts or entries will be ongoing.
Well, getting on with this entry … recently I started doing something that I haven’t really done with any regularity in a number of years and that was reading for pleasure. Actually, for the last few years I have been building a small library of hardcovers … something that I kept promising myself I was going to eventually indulge in … However, I am only now starting too reap the literary benefits of owning that small cache. Now, the size of this little venture won’t make the Guinness Book of Records but it will make the ‘Sadie’s Hall Of Wonders’.
And honestly, it’s quite surprising how sometimes such small things can produce so much joy … you see, just knowing that I possess my own private library is a source of both delight and pride. There is a lot to be said about things that have been created with your own hands, or developed due to your own personal efforts. And what makes this an even bigger BLAST is that at least 75% of the books in my collection were purchased from the Dollar Tree. Now, this isn’t a Dollar Tree promo and no, the books that I have aren’t from authors no one has ever heard of before. A few years back, DT was stuffing there shelves … I guess with overstocked items or maybe books from business that went under … in any case they had some really great titles.
Novel Purchases
So, every week I would buy one or two titles and before ‘you knew it’ I had a pretty impressive collection.
And another thing … I start gushing when I think of just how huge a savings I’ve generated by making these frugal purchases … it really brings a smile to my FACE!
In an earlier post I mentioned how I really try to avoid those sensational articles, the ones that just sort of claw at your very being … and I do, I really have and that’s why this story was completely missed by me. The only reason I found out about it was because of the MOMlines … you see, from time to time she feeds me little NEWSbits.
Well, the other day my mom told me an amazing story about a plane that crash landed on the Hudson River, I am sure most of you guys/gals heard about it, if not here we go…
This plane took off from LaGuardia Airport, NYC heading for Charlotte, NC when suddenly the engines caught fire, at the time everyone was surprised because this happened seconds after take-off. One report that I read stated that bird feathers and DNA tracings had been lifted from one of the engines and they are fairly certain that this was what caused the unfortunate accident. Since then however, the pilots testimony has confirmed that finding. But what’s so remarkable about THIS STORY is that everyone that was aboard that airline survived, which was due to the cool headed and skillful decisions of this airline pilot.
And after his strategic landing numerous ‘tug boats’ that were within the touch-down area, swiftly headed toward the downed plane and offered what assistance they could.
Now, these are the stories that I like … stories that have happy endings and heroes and many people working together too save the day.
The end of this year is rapidly approaching and the New Year is bamming at the proverbial door and it’s presence and demand for attention is looming. And I also have many thoughts that are emerging and also demanding a bit of my attention…for instance…
Being labeled senior citizen in our society is akin to being placed at the front of an Amtrak ticket line that’s traveling too ‘Destination Final Resting Place’. Oh…such a cruel circumstance that we are expected to accept, when in fact most of us are approaching that High-Point in our lives. We have literally become ‘Reservoir Foxes’…lil life-nuggets brimming with years of happenings stored in our personal data bases just waiting for an opportunity to share.
But, guess what, I am hesitant but nonetheless proud too admit that I am a ’silver surfer’, a quite gray granny…a seasoned n’ proud mom. And with the obvious years of life that goes along with those distinctive attributes there are also many other bonus’s that my years here have produced. For instance, during my stint here, I have witness radio programs evolve to TV, and console style radio’s shrink to hand-held portable models and from that to wafer thin models the size of a credit card that’s capable of storing 1000’s of songs. Telephone have become small, mobile, and owned by children that are not even able to ‘foot the expense’ of that ownership. I can make my own movies and music and share the results with my family and friends. I have lived thru the emergence of Atari, Slinky and BarBie.
I have shared the same airspace and time line with such remarkable notables as Pope John XXIII, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Mother Teresa, Princess Di, Linus Pauling, and Jimmy Carter…
I know of atrocities that were committed that didn’t make the ‘front page editions’ but were nonetheless horrific and were probably only chronicled in the police archives…stories that would curl your blood…not fiction, or a figment of my imagination but real crimes committed against in most cases undeserving people.
I have seen accidents and near accidents that are as vivid today as it was when it occurred years ago. And I am sure my true life recollections pale in comparison to what other have seen and done, read about or were told about, were the victims or just barely escaped an incident. We ’so called ole folks’ are store houses of facts, situations, solutions, suggestions…and you would think this upcoming generation would knock our doors down too graze on these many tidbits and morsels of info that we would love to share for free. But noooo…these youngin’s think they know it all or they think they are too busy to spend a little time listening or they see us as ‘out of touch’ with the times.
Oh well, their loss…sure there is much we don’t know…especially when it comes too the challenges posed by this technological stampede that’s bombarding our day to day lives. But we do know life…simply because we have already lived it.
Yalls loss…because unbeknownst to the emerging ‘movers and shakers’ of this generation…I am not down n’ out. I…we are entering a new season…a much more enlightened season and I for one plan too tap into those years of real-life school’n too make this a truly brilliant and meaningful episode in my life. It’s not a start over, it’s just another ‘leg’ of my journey.
So although we must say goodbye to 2008, it really isn’t gone…because all it’s events will always remain with me, with us…our children and theirs. Nothing is ever really lost as long as there is a record of it’s passing somewhere.
And I look forward to this new year, another page of history that will be bursting with a staggering numbers of events: from births … graduations … re-locations … new business owners throwing open their doors for the first time … and an odd piece of land re purposed for a park … an old building restored … an injured animal saved by a passing stranger … a young tot’s first ice skating lesson … and to the farmers whose home and land are finally producing a profit and things are finally looking up…
Yep…I hope everyone has all of their ‘Ducks In A Row’ cause the holidays are HERE! Yall, only have a week left to prepare…AND am I ready?…not quite. However this year, it’s lookin’ a lot better than it ever has. For a change, I am feeling more in control, not just ‘picked up and sweep about’ by the ‘holiday frenzy’.
This year I made a list of things that I wanted to tackle before that DAY arrived…and those items that I considered PRIORITY were at the ‘top’ of the ‘things I must accomplish’ list. And I started more than a month ago tackling that list. I focused on one, sometimes two things at a time, switching from one to the other if I got overwhelmed by whichever project I was working on. And because I started so much more earlier than I normally do, I was able to ‘take my time’.
Hence, there was no last minute panic, headache’s and feelings of being stretched too my limits. I haven’t nor will I complete that list, but I have eliminated most of those major items, from that list, which just makes a world of difference to me.
I hope everyone reaches that place of peace and that you and your’s actually have the time to enjoy the more important things about this HOLIDAY…Family and Friends
The other day I was watching a dvd called ‘Kung-Fu Panda’…this little animation was loaded with a lot of thought provoking quotes. One of my favorites and I think a good one to think about during this particular season…goes like this…
Initially I had planned to write about a completely different topic…but then it occurred to me that the Republicans are out of office, YAH. The Democrats are back, and the promise of an administration that may again be for the people, the masses is about to begin. And also the promise of a more FORWARD thinking leadership is advancing to the forefront of our nation. I am certain many people were disappointed that their party lost, but it should not just be about a party, it should be about this country and stepping out of this deep dark pit that we seemed to be falling deeper and deeper into.
A truly historic event has taken place and in my lifetime, 2 years ago I had absolutely no idea who Barack Obama was…but oboy…a lot has change in that short amount of time. I am excited, hopeful and anxious to begin this New Season, and I pray that this upward spiral just continues to move it’s way to our heavens. We really need a fresh start, we need a plan outlined that encompasses all humankind…our planet, our children and our freedoms are at stake.
There is one thing that just keeps knawing at me, though. President Bush called Obama last night to congratulate him and he told him to ‘have fun’. He just gotta be kidding, the White House and the responsibilities attached to that position always seems to age our presidents. And we are facing monumental issues. For the duration of President Obama’s term I am certain fun is something that will be in ’short supply’.
Yep, you just gotta luv a blog…because you can vent and get what’s vexing you off your chest. The whole act involved in creating a post sort of aids in letting off some of the steam that is brewing inside. And by the time you are finished writing, correcting and reviewing what you wrote…you feel somewhat relieved. Well, it works for me anyway.
OK, this is what happened. Last Friday [10/17/08], I took a little out of state trip, and I had been craving a Sam’s Club hot dog since the beginning of the outing. So, I just couldn’t fight it any longer, I was nearing Greensboro and since I was familiar with the area I knew exactly where Sam’s Club was, so I made a little detour. And anyway I also was running low on petrol and their gas is usually frugally priced. So it was off to Wendover St and the neighboring Sam’s Club.
So there I was approaching the counter and my taste buds were just jumping. There were 2 young ladies at the counter one was assisting a customer and the other was placing buns in the warmer. Now, I wasn’t sure if one was taking the orders and the other one was filling them, so I address the one that was working on the buns. I said ‘Miss’ about 3 times before she slightly turned to acknowledge me and I asked which register should I place my order at…she said either one it didn’t matter. And might I add, she looked as though she could use a break, or a nap or maybe a different job…clearly she wasn’t happy to be there. So, I went to the other register, because after all…in order for things to run smoothly you do need warm buns for the ‘hot dogs’.
The lady on line ahead of me at the other register was just finishing up and was about to leave. However, as soon as the young lady at the register finished the order she turned and said something to her co-worker and went to the back and exited thru the side door without saying anything at all too me. Now the young lady that remained continue stocking the buns, which took just a few minutes, although it seemed like hours, but she said nothing at all to me until she completed what she was doing and then with the same, somewhat disconcerting face she gestured with her head indicating that I should return to her register.
Needless to say, I lost my appetite. I told her very nicely and with a smile on my face that ‘I changed my mind’. I decided that today I didn’t want to give Samuel Moore Walton any of my money. So, although I needed gasoline and the station was conveniently located just steps away from my car I decided not only to find another gas station, but find somewhere else to eat. So, I decided to get take-out from the Golden Corral that was a hop, skip and a jump from Sam’s.
The mashed potato’s n gravy with meatballs really ‘hit the spot’. Although I had been a little perturbed my quiet rebellion and that little meal eased my pain.
Lately, I have been preoccupied with projects that have taken me deeply into uncharted waters. And as you may have noticed, my postings have suffered greatly. However, in defense of my negligence I must confess…I feel as though I am facing the end of semester exams…and I am finding out just how much I really don’t know and subsequently I’m cramming like heck to catch up. Ugly scenario, however that just about covers my current learning experience.
And one of the biggest obstacles that is facing me is remaining on track and staying focused on one element of the project at a time. Whenever I enter into another playing field, I enter alone and if I should have a question about any aspect of what I am doing…there is no one to ask. So, I have too tough my way through it…google my question, visit some of the results and cross my fingers that an answer can be found in a reasonable amount of time.
Now, that’s what is at the core of my distractions…because I do luv browsing and when I am searching for an answer to a question…visiting blogs is part of the answer. And quite honestly there are some amazing blogs in cybercpace. Not only have I found answers to my immediate questions, but I have found answers to questions I wasn’t even working on at the moment.
But no matter how pleasureable this ’seek and discovery’ may be…it’s slowing me down, my blogs are suffering…I could really use some extra hands.
But all isn’t as bad as it sounds, I have created a couple of new blogs that I am appying different concepts to and hopefully these blogs will perform better for me.
This blog is an example of my new approach, so time will tell.
Recently I came across this great list of everyday household TIPS. Some of these pointers I am sure many of you are probably already using, but there may be items on that list that would be solutions to problems that some of us may have encountered and didn’t know how best to tackle them. The majority of the TIPS are quick fixes for household mishaps. However, since the holidays are approaching at ‘light speed’…I thought I might list those that just may be helpful during this season.
Many of us are going to be spending loads of our time cleaning and shopping for the holiday’s. But the biggest chunk of that time will be spent in the kitchen cooking meals for our immediate family, friends and relatives.
And for many…little accidents may originate ‘right there’…So my first Tip Of The Week will be “please take a moment, and a few deep breath, kick those feet up and view this video” and the other tips will be listed in the upper right sidebar.
TOO MUCH TO DO AND NOT ENOUGH TIME TOO DO IT IN?
An ingredient in the 'Holiday Madness' that could lead to a kitchen mishap. However, if you should burn yourself and wish to 'keep a burn from blistering'.~Apply cold water to the burn immediately~
SAY CHEESE...
Are you having a problem slicing the cheese?~A dull knife works much better than a sharp one~
