Keeping a Log

As you know, I have begun working at the branch store, or the outpost as the president of the company and I call it. Now this store has been losing money for the last 10 years. We have tough competition from the card shop in the same mall, we have no signage or visibility, up to now, it has been run by college girls who spent their time studyiing. I asked the President how the store was doing, and he said it is hard to tell, since he is unable to discern how the transfer orders affect sales. These are orders sent to the main store for delivery. I have decided to help him out by keeping a log of the transfer orders. One step on the way to making the "outpost" a viable store.

Thoughtulness and Kindness in Speaking

I came home from work and discovered my husband in the kitchen happily stirring chicken flavored rice and baking frozen prepared chicken cordon bleu. I enjoy both of these dishes. However, for the past four weeks, I have been trying to eat as healthy as possible. I have been watching sugar and sodium. I mentioned to my husband that both dishes were loaded with sodium. I realized, after, that if my son had invited me for sushi which I drench with sodium ladened soy sauce, miso and adename that I would have been tactful. The lesson here is to be thoughtful and kind so as to not hurt my well-intentioned husband's feelings.

Just what we needed

My sister said, "It was just what we needed." And it truly was. A time of prayer, songs and anecdotes about Nancy. And then into the gathering space to share a simple lunch--chicken and ham sandwiches, deviled eggs--pink and blue and green from Easter dye, spinach salad, fruit, oatmeal raisin bars, cake, coffee and water. A time to be together and remember a wonderful woman.

Nancy
May 27, 1927 - April 17, 2012

Memorial Service

I am attending a private memorial service for my friend, 84. A time of prayer and songs. It will provide the opportunity to remember and share happy moments. I have a vase of flowers to position by her picture, a basket of reiger begonias and an orchid plant. Am thinking about making an oatmeal raisin bar for after the service.

Taking the bull by the horns

I am not in the mood to train tonight. However if I make excuses this evening, it will be that much easier to not train some other time. I use to train 4 1/2 hours a week, but because of my new work schedule, had to forfeit two hours. If I train tonite, Tuesday and Wednesday, I will log 3 hours and 20 minutes this week. Yes, the wind is gusting up to 51 mph and I am cold from sitting at my daughter's softball game, but I will take the bull by the horns and attend hapkido class.

Working at it

Today my hubby and I celebrate our 37th anniversary. I hoped I was making the right decision all those years ago. Found out that I have to reassess and recommit every so often. Staying in a marriage is tough work especially when two diverse, opposite, opinionated personalities reside in a relationship.

Peace at last

She enjoyed watching the swans sailing on the lake, cygnets between.
She visited the animal shelter and adopted a cat friend.
A gory murder mystery delighted her.
TV shows entertained her.
Merchandise on the computer enticed her.
Old age, reclusiveness, kept her in her room.
The last few months--a series of hospital visits and rehab.
Now the end is quite near.
Peacefulness for her.
Sadness and loss for me.

Helping Grandfather

Yesterday my son and two daughters got up early and headed to their grandfather's house. My son unloaded 40 bags of topsoil. My daughters spread and raked the topsoil over the low spots. The 17 year old drove the lawn tractor and trailer loaded with patio blocks. They situated the patio blocks against the foundation. My father treated everyone to breakfast. My children thought it important to find the time in their busy day to help their grandfather.

Relieved

Last night we worked on fitness in hapkido class. Forms alternating with 20 plus pushups. I then came home and went online and chatted with a few friends. And finally, to my relief, I began to mellow, my mood shifted, the irritation that I felt all day went away. It is a worry to be in a bad mood and to not know why. Today, I continue to be in a mellow mood although my muscles hurt from fitness class. However, I will take soreness over a bad mood any day!

An Afternoon with my Mother

My mother is 84, is in a wheelchair and has some difficulty speaking due to some strokes she had many years ago. Today, we started off under cloudy skies to the nail salon. She enjoyed choosing a beautiful coral color, but her favorite part was when the manicurist rubbed mango/lavender lotion on her hands, saying "you always have such soft hands." The stylist sat on the floor and clipped my mother's toenails. We laughed when my mother asked, "Should I dance a jig?" I asked my mother if she would like to go to a large food and department store to look for shirts. Entering the department store, beautiful hyacinths caught her eye. We then headed to the shirt department and she choose five brightly colored new tops. She bought a cute bonnet and outfit for her newest great granddaughter who will be born in May. Around the store to the fish in aquariums and shrimp rings in freezers, past bunny cakes and cookies, to the flower section and the blue orchids. Time to check out, she had never seen a u scan because you see, she probably had not been to this store in 30 years! A perfect afternoon with my 84 year old mother!

Missing my Coworkers

A couple weeks ago, I offered to work Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the branch flower shop. It is a small satellite store situated on the western edge of the city. It saves people from the seven mile drive to the central location. I knew that I would be giving up hapkido on Saturday and Friday night zumba and that I would be working by myself. On the positive side, I would be managing the store and designing some simple arrangements. I welcomed the challenge to make the store more profitable. The President of the company had suggested the move months ago, and the other manager thought we would be a good team. I find that I am spending 3/4 of my work week at the branch store, and few hours at the main store. I work with two sales associate coworkers now at the main store, the few hours that I am there. I am missing my coworkers very much!