Extras...

No, not the nameless faces in a movie crowd scene or the toppings on a pizza…… I’m talking about people, and the little things they do, every day, for others.

Today was the day we had an appointment at the DMV.  We rushed through a smog inspection first, and then off to the land of wait-in-line.  It’s not the first time we have attempted to register his Honda in California and get new license plates.  The last time, our DMV was closed, so we went to another nearby town.  As we pulled into the parking lot, the line was out the door and around the corner…..we went home.

As he was talking to a man behind the counter, another employee told me to “move over” so she could help another customer.  I was taken aback but then remembered where I was and obediently moved over….

We sat in the sea of people and listened to a variety of languages being spoken, and sob stories about misplaced pink slips or “undeserved” tickets….  When it was our turn, the gentleman who waited on us was very courteous and helpful.  He even loaned us a screwdriver to get the license plates off the car: no new plates without turning in the old plates.

As I stood at the window, writing the check for the registration, he went out with the screw driver to get the plates off the car.  The look on his face when he came back in told me that it didn’t go well.  Not only was the screw driver not the appropriate tool to get the plates off, but he locked his keys in the trunk….

Now it was my turn to go outside and call AAA.  The very nice woman I spoke to told me that she would have someone out to help me “within a half an hour”………I explained that we were at the DMV, being waited on, and could it be sooner?  She said she would make us a priority call….

I went back inside with the DMV clerk to finish the paperwork while he stayed by the car to wait for the tow truck driver.  He came back in after only five minutes: the tow truck had already been there and retrieved the keys. 

We made an appointment to come back in an hour and a half, with the license plates, and then went home to try to get them off.  No luck….  So, I called the only person I could think of who might be able to help us soon: the contractor who is remodeling our kitchen.

 

And yes, he came over within half an hour of my call.  And with a few attempts to find just the right tool, he got the screws off and our license plates, too.  It didn’t hurt that we squirted WD-40 around the screws before he got there….

We rushed back to the DMV, paperwork and license plates in hand.  As we stood in “Line 1”, waiting to get a number, the man who helped us earlier spotted us and motioned us to come over to his counter.  Within five minutes, the paperwork was complete and we had our California license plates and were out the door….

I honestly believe that we get back what we give out.  I think it’s human nature to be kind to those who are kind to us.  I’d like to think that kindness is contagious, truly….  I do appreciate the smog guy, the DMV guy, the AAA guy, and our contractor, for turning a difficult situation into a positive experience….

Cheerfully….

Cali

Sweet....

What an interesting day it has been. Disappointing and good, at the same time.

I had hoped to go back to work at the end of this month, and now it will be postponed. I have to have another procedure done. And it can't be done until the first part of February.

So, I will wait to go back to work.

To get my mind off of it, we went to the mall in another town. Specifically, I wanted to see their Kohl's. It's a lovely, clean store. And it wasn't crowded, either.

We went to another discount store, in the same mall, just to look around. As we walked in, arm-in-arm, a woman looked at us and smiled a warm smile.

I have gotten used to that. It has happened a lot since he came to live with me: we go somewhere, and people smile at us. Young folks, too. Young men open doors for us, or move out of our way, saying “excuse me” as they move.

I have wondered why....

And now, I know: the lady today? She smiled, and said to us “you just look so sweet!” I couldn't think of anything to say except “thank you” as we walked by her.

And I smiled, too. It's nice to know that we leave that impression on others, isn't it? Wouldn't we all like to be appreciated that way?

It helped me get past the disappointment at the doctor's office. I know that, what needs to be, needs to be. I can't fix it by myself. I have to go with the treatment he prescribes. And the time line that has to be.

But, when all is said and done, it's okay. Why?

We're sweet!

Cali

I think, therefore, I am.....I think!

I have been trying to clear my head this morning. Trying to think of something to write about. Something of value.

It's hard for me sometimes. It seems that I always have so many thoughts swirling around in my head. Trying to settle them down and focus can be difficult.


I have to laugh: someone close to me always tells me that I think too much. I honestly don't know how to stop thinking, or thinking so much. I will have to think about that.....


Actually, I think thinking a lot is a sign of a healthy brain. It's actively exercising, thinking about lots of different things, imagining things, and working out solutions to problems. Maybe it's “brain aerobics”!


What do you think?


Cali

Happy Saturday!

Ah, the joys of Saturday! I'm off to the hardware store for some supplies. Then some projects need to be done. And, of course, there's a mountain of laundry to do.


Another day, another gift to be opened and enjoyed. What are you doing with your gift today?


Happy Saturday, everybody!


Cali

Sunshine....

Today is one of those days. I have dreaded it for a month. And now, it's here...


Decisions will be made today, by others, that affect my future. I can only answer their questions and wait. Wait for the inevitable. I have known, for a long time, what the outcome will be: I have the pain in my lower back as a nearly constant reminder.


Can I still work? Or not.


The sun was shining when I woke up this morning. I have to take my cue from the weather: good day or bad day, good news or bad news, the sun will be shining.


And so will I....


Cali

Attitude is Everything...

I woke up this morning a little out of sorts. In the “victim” mode, slightly. I had something to eat and read a new magazine I purchased yesterday.


There were stories in it about other people's lives, other people's struggles, and other people's victories. And I realized: I am the architect of my life. I can choose to meet things head on or wallow in my sense of unmet entitlements.


Not that I have anything to wallow in, it just feels that way, sometimes. And then I read things. Yesterday, Elizabeth Edwards lost her battle with cancer. Just two and a half weeks before Christmas, her children are without their mother.


No, when one loses one's mother is not nearly as important as the loss itself. Being closer to Christmas, or far from Christmas, does nothing to assuage the pain. Nor does the pain go away anytime soon.


But putting my efforts into feelings for those children took the focus off my own life. And made me put things in perspective, once again.


It's true: attitude is everything.

 Cali

Thankful....still....

Thanksgiving is over but I am still thankful.

Every day is filled with blessings, if I just look for them. Today was no exception. The sky was blue and the air was clear. Recent rains have taken some of the particulants out of the air we breathe around here.

The mountains were visible and dusted with a coating of pure white snow. It is always a joy to be able to see them. The pansies are blooming profusely and so are the snapdragons. The last tomato is off the vine, thanks to the recent freeze.

I went shopping today and found the perfect gift for my son. I finished off the last of the turkey by making soup. The house is in chaos but that's fine: I'm decorating for Christmas!

Life is good. I just have to remember that. Every day.

Simple Joys...

I wake up with a head full of thoughts. Thoughts about the weekend, the week, Christmas, family. Thoughts about what I need to do today. And tomorrow.

It's cold; there's frost on the lawn. I turn up the heat and pull on something warm. Still thinking about a myriad of things, I walk out into the kitchen.

Little stirrings coming from the laundry room: the girls are awake. As I walk over to the laundry room door I see them: tails wagging, front paws on the “baby gate” that keeps them in the laundry room. I greet them with a “good morning” and they respond in soprano howls of joy.

The morning routine: I open the other laundry room door and the girls race across the family room floor, and out the doggie door. Cinnamon, the alpha dog, always goes first. Then little Ginger. Once out the door, they turn around and wait for my hand to come through the door, holding a doggie cookie.

Grabbing their cookie, they head off to their doggie bed on the patio to enjoy their treat. That's it; that's the routine and the daily morning joy. They don't think about other things, or other times.

A new day. Mom's here. And a cookie. In their world, life is good.

Simple joys....

Finding My Grace...

Each day is a new beginning. A new chance to do what we want with our lives. Yesterday's mistakes are history. Tomorrow's triumphs aren't here yet. Today is all we have.

As usual, I woke up this morning feeling hopeful. I am not a negative person, most of the time. I am on a journey today. A journey to find my grace. By grace, I mean a generous spirit, given to tolerance, willing to accommodate, and fully capable of forgiveness.

Today, I will give more than I get. I will err on the side of kindness. I will forgive others without fail, and I will forgive myself for my own failures. I will look for the best in those people I see today, and I will find my own goodness, too.

Grace is not hard to define, nor is it elusive. Other things just seem to get in the way. Not today.

Today, I will find my grace....