Eyecatching fall color

Beautiful plants around my neighbor's deck

Fall plants and colors

My neighbor's mums

Too Late

My friend passed away, and I didn't read the news until after his viewing and funeral. So hard. I plan to donate in his memory and send a card to his wife. He fought the brave fight for 8 months, such a short period, but the cancer won. I can't stay focused. The master berated and criticized last night, I was a real dummy, with lots on my mind.

2nd gup

My new color belt. I'm on my way to being a 1st gup and then a black belt.

Hapkido testing

There was so much on TV last evening-the playoffs, football, the premiere of Rosie O'Donnell. I watched some baseball and half of Rosie, and then I drove to the martial arts school to train. I noticed that there were two instructors in hapkido uniforms. Hmmmm. I thought one was going to work one-on-one with the new white belt. Imagine my shock when another student and myself were directed to come and test for our next level. "Ohhhhhhhh..." I moaned. Actually, I'm glad I didn't know I was testing, no time to get all het up about it. The other student and I work together often, so I was able to help him when he had a swiss cheese brain a couple times, and he was supportive of me. Figured as long as we were working as partners, I would take advantage and try to learn and hone the techniques. The testing went fairly well...I can always do better. I am doing the techniques stiff-legged, without bending my knees, so I need to get out of that bad habit. And I am not twisting my torso. Some techniques I am just learning. When I was asked why I I hadn't learned them in the past year, I couldn't answer. For several reasons probably. I thought I was exaggerating that move, but apparently not. I promoted to 2nd gup which means I have to learn the techniques to promote to 1st gup and then promote to first dan or black belt.

Serio comedic

My online friend told me that I write in a serio comedic style. I have decided to transfer that style to my life. That is not to say that I don't know that my nephew is a parapalegic or that my friend's husband is in hospice, or that some folks at work are struggling to make ends meet, or that my adult children are lonely. I am trying to refrain from complaining, to laugh more, to perform RAofKs (random acts of kindness). Yesterday, I was able to donate to my son's playoff fund, sweep and clean up after one of the designers, teach a coworker how to make gift baskets. I felt so GOOD! I think this attitude will hold me in good stead (sorry! cliche!) as I will feel happy most of the time.

Two interesting orders

Late this afternoon, I received a call requesting delivery for today. Since it was so late, I suggested that we deliver tomorrow, Sunday. The customer requested a unique arrangement for tomorrow and another one for Monday! We called in our creative, imaginative designer who made a colorful floral display--hanging amaranthus, snaps, bright roses, orange lilies in a keepsake vase. I could only look at it in amazement! For the gift that we are delivering on Monday, our designer will arrange tropical flowers. I can only imagine how much the sender loves the recipient to send her two beautiful floral arrangements.