I Tripped and Then Made Choices

My day started with running into and falling over a chair.  Yes, the chair won the battle that I did not know existed.   Now I have a partial black eye, swollen bruised lip, raised sensitive area on my foot, bruised knee, pain in my side and lower back, and delivery of soup and cornbread muffins for my Kids Hope USA lunch for the staff and teachers of my designated elementary school was more important to me than my minor discomfort. All of this happened because I did not want to turn on the light.  However, the favored cup in my hand survived without mishap and I spilled only a small amount of my hot tea.  In fact the cup landed perfectly as if I wanted it to be under my jewelry stand. Go figure…

Thank you Silver Violet and Garnet ShadowSense for concealing my partial black eye,  Napa LipSense for masking my swollen bruised lip, LuLaRoe for covering my knee with your buttery softness, and of course my comfy Bob’s Sketchers that did not pain the bump on my foot.  Thank you for saving me from the visual embarrassment that you did not know was needed. Okay ladies keep selling, selling, selling because I know for a fact that other ladies need your help to disguise, mask, cover, or enhance our whatever. 

Yes this is also a product endorsement (of sorts) and product appreciation. 

Now for the other choices to which I referred. 

·         I did not choose to hobble to the medicine draw for Aleve and hug my pillow for nap.

·         I did not allow my tumble to cast a shadow over my day.  

·         I did not make a fuss about the chair that my hubby moved to accommodate our Christmas tree.

·         I did not get mad at the hubby for not getting up to help me. 

·         I did not allow it to make me late to deliver or void my delivery of the soup and cornbread made for my Kids Hope USA lunch at my designated school.

I chose to continue my day as planned and was happy, happy, happy all day.  I can be a klutz but a “pity city” girl I am NOT. I chose to forego any “would have, should have, could have” (woulda-shoulda-coulda) since it serves no purpose, does not change anything that happened, and is waste of my time plus steals my joy.

It is always about choices.  Life is good.  

The Mysterious Mr. Whistler (The Ragamuffin Sisters) by Anita Higman and Hillary McMullen

I enjoyed the read and could personally relate to the young female characters. Throughout the book I was reminded of the importance of friendship and how sometimes we derive courage, discover truths about ourselves, and the things we do to get even or more importantly make things right.

The boys were equally entertaining and it was nice to discover the truth behind their behavior.
The story line was interesting and brought some real life situations and current events with it. Poor Mr. Whistler. However his demise opened the door to some much needed community information and the joint efforts of what were two rival group of kiddos.

The opposites were not really opposites as they soon discover together

Hurricane Harvey Visits a Library

People have lost their homes, lives have been lost, businesses have been destroyed or severely damaged, loss of income for those who could not get to work, and then I saw pictures of the damage to the Kingwood Library and the mounds of books that were damaged.  I was instantly emotional and it brought tears to my eyes again tied to the far reaching arms of Hurricane Harvey.

Yes I know that things can be replaced. This visual reminded me of the many children and families who find great enjoyment in their experiences shared at a library through reading and the many organized activities offered through our wonderful library system. A library is a window to the heart and mind which feeds our thirst to learn, to learn more, and grow not just intellectually but in our character, our family, our careers, and community involvement.

Libraries are a source to be valued. Not everyone has access to a source without fees like those driven by technology. It is wonderful to have options and I want this one protected, funded, and restored as soon as "humanly" possible. I read about the Tucker Foundation which appears to be for books, computers, etc. which I hope is availed soon along with other public money.

The library was my solace as a young girl and my excitement was not easily contained when it was time for the visit from the Bookmobile.  As an adult my library card was as important to me as my driver’s license.  Actually my library card is right next to my driver’s license in my clutch wallet.

Many things have changed over time and not always for the better. I hope that this disaster does not move this library to make fewer paper books available and move more towards technology at an increased level.  Those who may appreciate the books and access to books the most may be the ones neglected the most in that decision. It is nice to have choices so please do not remove the paper choice for those who prefer it or even more so those who desperately need it who may have limited options. 

2017 July 20 National Know Your Customer Day

Reading what today is brought a smile to my face but others perhaps not so much. Yesterday I went to my bank for two transactions; close a safe deposit box and cash a check.  Here is what happened.

As I walked inside the front desk person lowered her head and turned to her computer so I went to the teller line first.  I call the teller by name and provide my check for $250.  I request five in $10 dollar bills and the balance in $20 bills.  She takes my check and says “How would like the cash?” I repeat it to her.

Then she says “Would like some $5 and $10?” I repeat my request to her.  She then says “So you want 10 in $20 and five in $10?” I say “Yes please. “

I go to the other area to close my safe deposit box and after a short while she turns and asks if I need any help.  I tell her that I need to close a box and sit down because I know that I will need to sign a form.  She asked if I was in a hurry and I said that I had the time.  She then tells me that she does not know how to do it and will need to either wait until her manager returns from lunch or she will need to check to see how to do it.  I indicate that I would prefer not to wait until the manager returns but if that was necessary then I would.  She excuses herself from the desk then returns asking for my driver’s license.  I give her the two keys and we go to the box to confirm that it is empty. We return to the desk and she asked if I had both keys.  I pause and she realizes that both are in her hand.  She pulls the contract and I sign where indicated.  She then replies that she will get with the manager for further information as to what she might need to do. 

I am a retired banker with 38 years in the industry so I understand the importance of customer service, training, listening, communication, and meeting or exceeding the expectations in a customer interaction.  These are key customer factors within any industry.  It was an interesting experience.  I could clearly identify with the frustrations of a customer and this time I was the customer. 

There are numerous banking choices but at this point in my life I have learned to expect or anticipate the “Needs Improvement” category which is a banking examination term.  I was not frustrated with the situation but felt sympathy for the other customers.  I am not changing banks since at this point in my life I am more concerned with the financial stability of the bank and I can sleep at night knowing that my accounts are secure.

If the subject were technology then I would need to add “Don’t get me started.”  which is another conversation all together.    

Yes, I am shaking my head.  

My Mother and idle hands. Not hardly!

Many years were spent cooking, cleaning, cuddling and correcting: my mother’s hands, busy hands, happy hands.

During one of the times that I was her caregiver she caught me taking pictures of her hands. She said in her weak voice which she thought was loud and still firm “Linda Sue what are you doing?” I told her that her hands were beautiful, that I had always thought so, and that as much as I enjoyed taking pictures that I did not recall ever seeing them idle and was taking pictures of them now.  She then smiled up at me and said “Okay Lin”.

In that one sweet moment shared between mother and daughter she went from questioning my actions as her daughter “Linda Sue” to accepting and calming to her daughter “Lin”.  I wish that I knew how to post those pictures of her lovely hands here for all to see.  Two months later those precious hands were forever stilled with her passing. Blessed am I to have been touched by that most precious pair of hands.

A few months later I received a compliment that truly warmed my hurting heart.  This person said “You have hands just like your mother”.  Wow, just wow!

Thank you dear God for this unexpected gift that could only come from you.  

Memories.   

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Interesting reading with a compelling storyline that definitely held my attention to the end. The characters and their flaws just kept coming but not in a way that detracted but instead pulled me into the story tighter and tighter.

The main character seemed weak which irritated me on a few levels until I started to understand her need to help, become involved in or part of something and her secrets.  Over a period time she created a story about a couple she watched each day from a train window and developed an attachment to them.  One of them goes missing and her already upside world becomes even more of a challenge.  Every character had secrets that drove them and she was someone that they all had in common.

She was also an alcoholic who experienced blackouts.  As she starts to remember things from her “blackout” periods, she sincerely wants to connect not just with people again but the truth, however deadly.

 I must admit to feeling exhausted by the time the book came to an end but not from disappointment. Since the books is full of liars, cheaters, beaters and a murder it is a small wonder why Hollywood would find the appeal for possible movie viewing.  My surprise is that it was not a TV movie until I actually finished reading the book.