Disappointed

I'm sad and disappointed because I thought I could trust my 16 year old and found out that I can't. She left school to come home for lunch and had 2 friends in the car (state law allows 1 passenger). She has lost driving to school privileges for awhile, since I can't trust her. Yes, I know she can still leave campus w/ other friends, and I also know that probably all her friends are doing it. However, it does not make it right. It's disregarding the little things that can lead to much bigger troubles.

Two 20 year olds

Such a sad day today--a funeral and memorial service for two 20 year olds. I can see the 10 year old with the big smile, glasses and read hair come to pick up his little 6 year old brother at my classroom. That was 10 years ago. And today was his funeral because his troubled wife shot him in the head. A celebration of his life. The memorial service was for another 20 year old, a nursing student, excited about doing her clinical. Don't really know the details but somehow she was given the wrong medication. My thoughts and prayers are with both of the families and their friends and relatives.

Working with the tan bong

On Monday, at hapkido, we worked with a tan bong, a short little weapon that looks like a dowel with a string attached. I wrapped the string around my thumb so that it didn't take off, and practiced blocks and strikes. We also learned a few self-defense techniques.

Back from the tournament

I register for these tournaments to have a good time, and to see some friends. I started the day off with self defense. My partner did not compete, but very kindly agreed to partner me. I blocked wrong, but fortunately he anticipated, so that he didn't get hurt. I feel bad when I do that. My next competition was open hand forms. I competed with one of my fellow students, a black belt. She placed first, I placed second. I practiced and practiced and had muscle memory, but added a crazy extra move. My final event was sparring. It was an exhibition match, so we both won gold medals.

Now I need to decide if I want to compete in other tournaments this summer.

Surprises

I was scheduled for a day off, but our branch manager was very ill after ear surgery, so drove to the store and worked for her. When I saw her, I just wished that I could have gotten there sooner--she looked so sick. I cleaned roses, and cut iris, fujis, daisies, gazers and other flowers to display. I waited on a few customers and took some phone orders. Cleaned buckets and vases and vacuumed.

I have been practicing open hand forms and self defense.

My online friend is going through a lot of life changes now, but as my boss says, "the only constant in life is change."

A miracle--one of the former h/s softball coaches convinced the new coach to keep all the girls, and not make any cuts. A fine way to save my daughter's fragile self esteem.

Changes

I started the day by looking at photos of the terrible destruction in Japan. Whole cities wiped out by the tsunami, more than 11,000 dead. My problems are picayune in comparison, but still difficult to cope with. My online friend is offline for an uncertain period of time, changes at work that mean lost vacation time, no time to eat lunch, a missed bus.

Our martial arts school is sponsoring a tournament on Saturday. I have been practicing open hand forms, and a self defense routine, in addition to doing 2000 side kicks, for leadership class.

I need to help

Many of my friends are going through very tough times right now. But I woke up and read about the terrible devastation caused by the tsunami in Japan. And as difficult as my friends' situations are, they pale beside the magnitude of the destruction and loss in Japan. I have much work to do, beginning with ways to help my families and friends and then to help the people of Japan.

A Lenten Strategy

Hello everyone,

Ash Wednesday--the beginning of Lent.
I decided to do one random act of kindness (RAoK) for my husband every day of Lent. I started today by going downstairs to the dryer and bringing his coat up for him. I will also do RAoKs for other folks as the need arises. I plan to save all my change to donate to the Lions, and I will eat delicious vegetarian meals today and on the Fridays of Lent. I am planning to read scripture and meditations, journal privately about my thoughts, and substitute carob for chocolate. I am going to listen this Lent and try not to react in defense. I will smile more and pray.

Happy Fat Tuesday

Happy Fat Tuesday!
Happy paczki day!
Happy almost Daylight Savings Time!

The two books by Spence Quinn, "Dog On It," and "Thereby Hangs a Tail," are at the library and ready for pick up. Perhaps tomorrow after work, I can meander over there. We'll see.

I try to get house chores out of the way before my afternoon or day off. That way I can enjoy the day the way I like. I see the rec center is offering a new class, "Fun to Dance." Think I'll try it next session. Enrollment begins in a few days.

My 2nd time of opening the store

Today was the 2nd time that I opened the store. My friend had been on a trip, and didn't know that she was on the schedule. So when I called her, she was understandably upset. She told me that she would be in as soon as she could. I tried several times to get the ancient safe opened, but failed miserably. Figured the only thing that I could do was wait for my friend to come in. I couldn't take the phones off of our answering service as there was only me, myself and I, and I needed to watch the front, the sales flr. I took a call from a funeral director who indicated that working with us is difficult and that we should call and verify the time that someone would be at the home, usually 3:00 (we close at 3). And lastly, the president of the company was out and about, and we didn't know his plans, didn't know where he wanted the vans parked or if he wanted the alarm on.

A new author

I just finished reading Spencer Quinn's book "To Fetch a Thief." I didn't read the flap or the author bio. At first, I thought Bernie and Chet were cats, and then I thought they were dogs, finally discovered that Chet is a dog, and Bernie is his owner. Quinn has written two other books, "Dog On It" and "Thereby Hangs a Tail."

Only 2 weeks until the martial arts tournament. I should spend every free moment practicing.

March

March is a busy month!

5 birthdays at work--1st, 4th, 9th, 17th and 31st

Mar 8 --Fat Tuesday
Mar 9 --Ash Wednesday
Mar 13--Daylight Savings Time
Mar 19--In school martial arts tournament
MAR 20--Spring begins

Hello March.