Happy birthday

My son brought me a surprise early birthday gift from Albuquerque today. A new car! Well it isn't new, but it is new to me. It is in excellent condition, unlike the one I have been trying to drive. Tomorrow we have an appointment with the MVD to get the paper work taken care of for the new license. I am turning over the old car to my son so he can use it as a tax write off. It's only fair! Needless to say this is the best birthday gift I have ever received. It was worth it to live 85 years. Well not until Friday, but who is counting?

A step ahead

Today I put my snowmen, that I have collected over the years, out for all to see. Well it is just me and my son, but oh well! I had to be careful where I placed things this year because of my son's new dog. He eats anything that he thinks is food! Hopefully he will grow out of that habit. I didn't put the table top tree up this year because of Cody. I would feel terrible if he ate the little ornaments.The blanket I ordered for him finally came today. It was so disappointing that I ordered a non-distractable chew toy for him too. This is, after all, his first Christmas!

Family matters

My family has really shrunk in recent years. I have three great grandchildren: Frank David 12, Layla 10 and Juliet 5. I haven't even seen a picture of the older two in four years because their mother has ceased to communicate with me. Then there are my second son, David and my daughter, Christina who also don't think I exist. It does save on Christmas gifts! That only leaves my oldest son, Jeffrey and my youngest great granddaughter, Juliet!

A small town

I like living in a small town. I get the best service around! I have my car at Dave's Body Shop.I just called to see if it would be ready today. I was told no because they ran out of paint. Because Dave promised me it would be ready today he said he will work tomorrow to get it finished.That wouldn't happen in a big city. Let's hear it for small towns!

Another lost and found jewel

This piece is by Helen Mallicoat and is titled "I Am"

I was regretting the past and fearing the future.

Suddenly my Lord was speaking:

"My name is I Am."

He paused. I waited. He continued,

When you live in the past with its mistakes and regrets,

It is hard. I am not there. My name is not I Was.

When you live in the future, with its problems and fears, 

It is hard. I am not there.My name is not I Will Be.

When you live in this moment, it is not hard. I am here. 

My name is I Am.

A forgotten poem

A limb has fallen from the family tree.

I keep hearing a voice that says, "Grieve not for me".

Remember the best times, the laughter, the song.

The good life I lived while I was strong.

Continue my heritage, I'm counting on you.

Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through.

My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest.

Remembering all, how I truly was blessed.

Continue traditions, no matter how small.

Go on with your life, don't worry about falls.

I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin.

Until the day comes we're together again.

I found this poem in a saved place and wanted to share it for those who have lost someone dear to them in recent years. There was no title nor author.

Lost and found

I found the following mantra in "The Book of Ruins" the other day and thought it was worth sharing. Following my intuition, I have been repeating it daily.

You are the source of all power,

Whose rays illuminate the world,

Illuminate also my heart,

So it too can do your work.

Another place

On October 24th I ordered a pair of computer glasses from Eyemart  Express in Albuquerque. Last Wednesday I called them to find out why I hadn't received the glasses. They were supposed to be mailed. I was told they broke the frame I provided. One would think that sometime during the three weeks someone could have let me know. I was told to call back on Friday when the manager would be there. After two holds on the phone I finally spoke to him. I told him I ordered the glasses from somewhere else and wanted a refund. It appeared on my credit account the next day. I will never go to this establishment again!

In the meantime I picked out an inexpensive frame and ordered the glasses from Walmart Vision Center on Coors, in Albuquerque. I was impressed and grateful for the help of the clerk.. If I ever need another pair of glasses this is where I will go. Great service!

Good guess

My son just got the DNA results for his new dog. Even though he is big, I kept saying that I would be very surprised if he wasn't at least part pit bull. I was right! He likes to dig holes and stick his nose in like he is looking for something. The dog goes in for his shots this morning. I will be happy to learn exactly how old he is. He was supposed to be born in July, but I think he is older. We will see! He was abandoned and picked up by the shelter.

Cody was bon in June and weighs about 40 lbs. He is mostly American Pitt Bull and Australian Sheep Dog.I guess we will just have to put up with his annoying habits and remember that he is actually a puppy.

Who is in charge?

This morning I had two bills to pay, one to mail and one to put in a drop box. I also wanted to find the body shop I need to take my car to in the morning. I drove right past the body shop on the way to the Post Office. When I got there I discovered it was closed off and the mail boxes were not being used. So I turned around and found the body shop. 

I then drove up another street and put the bill in a drop box on the way to the grocery store. I always forget this one on the way home. One down, two o go!

Next stop was the grocery store. I was having trouble reading labels because of the dark glasses I forget to change before going in. I asked a man for help to find a needed product. I realized asking for help is a good thing!

As I was putting my groceries in my car a man asked if he could take my cart back with his. Of course, I thanked him. As I was leaing the parking lot I noticed a mail box that I never use. I stopped and mailed my bill. I wondered why I didn't use this box more often instead of driving into town? 

So it was an interesting morning with many lessons learned. Everything got done, just not the way I had planned. I wonder who was in charge of the adventure?

How much?

I decided to take my hurt car to a local body shop to see how much it would cost to fix it as opposed to getting another car. I was told to come in Monday morning for an estimate. Since I don't drive the car very far I think that may be a better option. I did discover today that all the lights work, except the headlight that no longer exists. 

Gratitude

I took my first trip in my sick car. First stop was for my physical therapy appointment. I let the people know that next week would be my last appointments. I decided that I can pretty much do most of the exercises at home. It just takes determination not gas in my car.

As I finished up and drove down the street I pasted a gas station, but didn't stop because it was busy. I continued to the grocery store and decided to get gas on my way home. I thought it was pretty funny that as I pulled up at the gas station a light came on that said "gas empty". Okay then I guess you know what my last decision was!

Considering that I was driving a car that most likely should have stayed in the garage, I found myself repeating, "I am grateful" all the way home.

I need a new hobby

Over the years I have spent a lot of time working on hobbies. Knitting, crocheting, sewing, painting, adult coloring books, photography and writing just to name a few. Most projects have been given away. Now I am looking for something new to do with my time. I would like it to be something that will help others somehow. I have no clue what that will be. Thinking thinking thinking!

A new month

 Well so far November is not starting out very well! I woke this morning with a serious balance problem. Since it was a physical therapy day I was considering not going, but reconsidered later. There were very few people there, but I kept watching a guy many years younger than I am. He was having problems doing the same exercises that I was doing. I wasn't having that much of a problem. When I left and got a half a block away I had the only car accident I have ever had. Unfortunately, I only have liability insurance on my car. so I am looking for a replacement as it would cost more than the car is worth to fix it.

Next, before I made a call to the insurance company to check on the claim, I took my left hearing aid out because it makes a strange noise during a phone call. Later on I couldn't find it. I accused my son's dog of eating it. I looked everywhere! I finally found it in the container I keep them in. I apologized to the dog! 

Now I am just looking for a replacement for the car. I hope the rest of the month turns out better than the beginning of this one!