The Cheerful Receiver

When my job has extra samples or close-date product, I try to take them to a food pantry so that they aren't just wasted. (This was after I had to throw away an entire fridge full of product that had sat in boxes, unopened and untouched, and gone out of date. It seemed so wasteful...)

Today I made a trip to the food pantry.

There are two local food pantries that I've taken product to. One is 2 minutes from the office and when I take things to them, it always seems the donation is an imposition, like I am interrupting their day by bringing the food donation by. The other one is about 10 minutes away and every time I have taken product to them, they are gracious and thankful. Guess which one I go to when I have an option.

Now, don't get me wrong, I don't take them product for the thanks. It isn't really mine that I'm giving. My point is about being a cheerful receiver and how this whole semi-unemployed state I've found myself in has made me learn to be a cheerful receiver.

Generally, it's easy to be a cheerful giver. Giving stuff or giving of yourself feels good. Most people like that feeling, but having to admit you need help and then accepting that help is hard. It hurts to admit you need help, but it is necessary sometimes.

I guess I am finally growing up. Darn. How did that happen?

I've got nothing

No, seriously... I have total writer's block. I can't think of any thing witty or even remotely interesting to write about.

I could whine about the allergies I'm fighting. (I am not sick... I am not sick... I am not...) but who really wants to read about that. Although, I do think I could blame the copious amounts of cold/allergy meds I'm taking on the brain fog I'm currently suffering through.

Anyway, I'll be back to my witty self soon.

Money, money, money...

I know money doesn't buy happiness, but a lack of it surely is depressing.

I've been semi-unemployed for quite a while now. It was originally a choice -- quit my full-time job, cash out the 401(k), and live on the proceeds while I finish school. The money would last about 9 months -- a year if I was really careful. Ah, the best laid plans....

In reality, I didn't pass the test I needed to pass to become a court reporter and the tests are only given twice a year, the money ran out, and the economy sucks. Finding another full-time job has proved quite challenging. At the end of the summer, things looked promising. I went on several job interviews and several second interviews. Unfortunately, I was second choice on all of the positions, so I am still looking and there is really not much out there for an administrative assistant.

I am fortunate that I have the portrait photography to fall back on and I'm doing that part time (in a different, more healthy environment for a different company) and my old job part time. It pays the bills most of the time.

No, I'm not just whining, there is a moral to my pity-fest.

Through it all, I have learned that yes, I really do want to be a court reporter. It's not going as I planned, but the rewards will be so sweet. My perseverance will pay off. I've learned that I have lots of people who are rooting for me (as well as a few who enjoy watching me fail, but I've learned who those people are and have weeded them out of my life). I've realized that God does provide in some pretty amazing ways.

So, nearly a year off from blogging and my life is pretty much the same as it was before. Not what I expected, either. But, I am another year wiser, another year stronger. As an acquaintance of mine is fond of saying... every day above the grass is a blessing.

Veterans Day

Today is Veterans day. The holiday honoring all U.S military veterans. It is known and observed in other parts of the world as Armistice Day (the symbolic end of World War I) or Remembrance Day (the day to commemorate the sacrifices of members of the armed forces specifically since WWI.)

Why November 11? November 11 is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.)

This day, in my humble opinion, should be a day for remembering and thanking and honoring the men and women who fought for the United States and came home forever changed by what they've seen. It irritates me that here in the U.S. Veterans Day has become little more than another day for stores to have big sales. It saddens me that an estimated 1/4 of the homeless in America are vets who haven't received the help they've needed when they come home. To me it was wrong that the flag-draped coffins of American Soldiers who died fighting for freedom couldn't be shown on TV because it was considered too "political" and divisive.

One of my most enduring memories of my childhood is walking into Arlington National Cemetery during a trip to Washington, D.C. and seeing all those white headstones perfectly lined up. There was row after row on a green field. As a young teenager, I was profoundly moved and awed to realize that each and every one of those headstones was someone who had served in this nation's military. It was a very visual lesson on just how many men and women it took/takes for me to live free.

So, please take the time to watch the video and offer a prayer of thanks for those who defend our freedoms. This is by a Canadian songwriter named Terry Kelly


I am overwhelmingly appreciative for the fact that someone fought for my freedom... and humbled by the fact that so many died for it. I am grateful for my grandfathers, all three of them, who served in WWII -- two in the Navy and one in the Army Air Corps. I am indebted all those who fought in WWII -- the War to End All Wars -- and for those who have fought in all the wars before and after. I am deeply grateful for those who are this country's newest veterans. I do believe they are making me safer through their service.

I want to say thank you. Thank you for your service and your scrifices. I know the sacrifices are many and yet, you chose/choose to make them. Thank you.

Oh, ye of little faith

Hiatus is over.

I am back.

I am going to again submit my own brand of wit and wisdom to the cyber-world for all to see.

Let's see, what has changed since I last wrote? Unfortunately not much. I'm still single. I still suck at being a grown up. I am still trying to finish court reporting. (Darn tests only being given twice a year sucks.) Pretty much I'm still living in the status quo. I can't say that the status quo is bad exactly, but it would be nice if there were a little change.

So, for those who missed me... I'm back.