Remember When

I was browsing earlier this evening and ran across this post at AFF. I will have to admit that I have never heard of this cartoon. When I saw, on her post, the letters "J E M" I thought of "To Kill a Mockingbird". I did start thinking though about the things that make me remember and this song immediately came to mind.





I love how songs will take me back. Songs take me back to good times and to bad times and to those times (and people) that I still remember fondly. Different songs for different folks, you know? I still have songs that can bring me to tears instantly which is why I play them when I need a good cry and just can't get one started. I have songs that make me sing along aloud in public. I have songs that make me nostalgic and songs that make me thankful to have survived. I just love the soundtrack of my life.

Just Call Me Snoopy

My daughter Julie took the dog breed quiz mentioned on my previous post. She was a Chihuahua (boy, was that perfect!) and she hated it so she just kept taking the quiz until she ended up as a Dalmation, which she's not.

Then she announced that she was a German Shepherd puppy. I called her a bald-faced liar and she said that it was a different test about what kind of puppy you would be. Not a dog, but a puppy.

So, I took it. Know what?

You Are a Beagle Puppy

Cheerful, energetic, and happy go lucky. And you're sense of smell is absolutely amazing!

What Breed of Puppy Are You?

I'm a freakin' beagle (sorry, Bentley).

What Breed of Dog Are You?

I saw this at MsCellania and, of course, I had to have a go.

You Are a Beagle

You are good natured. You enjoy spending time with people and animals. You have a wild, independent streak. If you're left to your own devices, you get in trouble. You love to eat and enjoy food of all kinds. If you don't get enough physical activity, you tend to have a weight problem. You are very stubborn. You don't like authority, and you tend to do your own thing no matter what.

What Breed of Dog Are You?

I really never saw myself as a beagle - a BEAGLE? (sorry, Belle) - but, after reading this, I must confess that I show beagle-like tendencies.

Thursday

Thursday, I went to the funeral for my friend’s mother. It was a nice service. My friend’s mother was 82 years old when she died. She had 6 children, 19 grandchildren, and a ton of great-grandchildren. My friend is a middle child, has 3 children and 5 grandchildren all of whom were in attendance along with their spouses, significant others and even ex-spouses. My friend's mother was one of the founding members of the local Extension club to which I belong.


My friend’s stepfather, who is ill and wheelchair-bound, was devastated. I watched my friend take care of him, one hand remaining on his arm through the service. Her husband kept one hand on her throughout the service.


The moment that got to me the most? My friend’s youngest granddaughter, who is 5, left her mother’s side and went to her daddy, who was one of the pallbearers, in order to comfort him. The sight of her little hand patting her daddy’s face brought me to tears.


The casket was wheeled out of the church to a rollicking polka and we went to the cemetery. It was a bitterly cold day and the graveside services were brief, although no less heartfelt for their brevity.


Thursday afternoon, the local stock show opened. After school and after Moose FINALLY finished his homework, we went to the stock show. The three oldest of my friend’s grandchildren were showing in the lamb, goat, and steer classes. Their great-grandmother would have been proud. The children conducted themselves with dignity and grace and won a prize here and there.


As I was standing there watching the judging, it occurred to me that this day pretty much summarized life in a rural community. The dead are honored and the living keep on living. It was a good day.

Reinvention

One of my friends, Laurie, is currently wondering about reinvention. I am about to embark on a new tangent and it occurred to me that I never reinvent myself. God reinvents me. I just need to let life happen.

I found myself unemployed last year and, after searching for employment in the fields that I thought I would enjoy and/or for which I was qualified, I fell back on my ultimate backup plan. I applied at the local megastore and was hired as a door greeter. Yep, my worst fears realized. A door greeter.

Surprise! I loved this job. I also was quickly offered full time employment rather than the part time for which I was hired. I was then quickly offered, at an increase in pay, a sales position, which I accepted.

Fast forward to last week. I was offered a position in the pharmacy at another increase in pay, with the possibility of advancement. I am now "moving on up" and am enrolling this week at the local college for certification as a pharmacy tech.

So, my advice for my friend? I have none. Everything I ever planned turned to garbage and everything I ever did out of necessity or just on a whim turned out splendidly. Sometimes we just need to let life happen. I know that's not real comforting but that's all I've got. And Laurie, I had never worked retail until I was 54. I guess us old dogs (or those of us who need to buy dog food) CAN learn new tricks.

A Couple of Christmas Photos

These were taken at my company's Christmas party, just before we left for Moose's school Christmas program, on the 17th of December.

Tea and Empathy, Anyone?

I evidently have an inflated opinion of myself. I see myself as cheerful, friendly, open and empathetic.

Nope.

I took this quiz to find out my empathy quotient. I scored a 35. A 35. A rotten, measly, barely above Asperger's 35.

WTF?

Fun Monday - thank God it's a New Year

This week's Fun Monday is hosted by Faye at Summit Musings. This is what she wants to know.

"What's on your mind as we close out 2008 and begin 2009? Large and small. What are often your first thoughts the minute you wake up? When you're alone and unguarded? Working? Stuck in traffic? Playing with the children? Walking the dogs? When you can't sleep?"

First and foremost on my mind is gratitude. My family is blessed. We are healthy and happy and fairly close, both emotionally and geographically. We are in a position to be able to afford the luxury of pets, who give us inestimable joy.

I am thankful to be employed. I am thankful that my husband is employed, as is my daughter. In this era of financial turmoil and stress, I am thankful to be stress free. This is due in part to the fact that I had no investments to lose and in part to the Lord's Prayer, as said during the Catholic Mass. After the congregation prays the Lord's Prayer together, the priest adds this:

"Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the Kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever."

to which we all respond:

"Amen."

Whenever I am tempted to fret and worry about things beyond my control, I take great comfort in knowing that it's not my job nor is it my responsibility.

This is not to say that I have no worries. It just means that I try to only worry about things that I have control over or that I can change. I am not ignorant of the dangers of the world and I do my level best to make sure that those I love are protected and informed. I am not ignorant of the needs of those less fortunate and I do my level best to make sure that I and those I love do our part to help. The rest is not up to me. It is up to Him and for that, I am truly thankful.